OUCH!!! That really hurts. I’m not talking about physical pain, but the pain of struggling with God. Ever been there? You can’t sleep, you’re not content, nothing seems to go right, your mind is in mass confusion and since God is not the author of confusion, it must be me. Really God what do You want of me? I’m willing to do what ever it is. Really? Somehow I doubt it. If that were true our lives would not be filled with discontent and intense struggle; instead there would be peace and joy. So now what? How do we stop the struggle?
I have found that in the 57 years that I have been saved that I am the happiest when I’m willing to let God lead. Now mind you, God has given ME the ability to lead and I am happy when doing so. Happy that is when I’m leading in the arena of my choice, but what about the one that’s not quite so desirable? The one where people have made bad choices and are now living with the results, it’s called being human? Not only has one bad choice been made, but it’s been made over and over again. Why do I tend not to have love and compassion in these instances? Is it because I have not made THAT particular decision ? Or is it because I have made choices which are just as bad and don’t want to be reminded of them? Sin is sin, after all.
I read a quote, author unknown, which said, ”When you make a mistake the second time, it isn’t a mistake, but a choice”. We need to ask ourselves, how many times have we asked God to forgive us of the same sin? More than once, some almost daily. How often have we said, “I’ll serve wherever You want me to”, but then hesitate and question when He has provided opportunity, time and talent to do so? Why the hesitation? Maybe because of fear of the unknown, lack of compassion, don’t relate, all ready involved in other areas, tired, might not be dependable due to circumstances? Maybe it’s because you may have to eat crow and admit you were wrong regarding a situation. Then we have to ask, Who do I think I am to question God? Is He not in control? Does He not know what’s best for me? Will He ask me to do anything in which He will not give me the ability and being His will, bless me abundantly? Yes, yes, yes, yes! What about James 4:17 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin”. Isn’t it about time that we learn to heed the voice of God and give in to His will? I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to a good night’s rest.
About Barb Harville