What is my problem?!
Problem? Did I say problem? Of course, if I said that, I would be co-signing with what the devil wants me to think about myself, a pathetic loser with no hope of redemption. Did I say that?!!! Whoa! I need to get a grip… fast. Before you know it, I’ll be sliding down that old slippery and familiar slope called condemnation.
When you agree with the enemy and begin to say what he’s saying about you, you have entered into an agreement with him that is just as powerful as the prayer of agreement found in Matthew 18:19. "if two agree as touching anything that they shall ask it shall be done for them" Now think about the things you’re saying about yourself, is that what you really want? Why do we quickly resort to beating ourselves up when we feel we’ve blown it? Is that suppose to help us do better?
Think about it… what if your boss threw you down a flight of stairs and stomped on your head because you didn’t do a good job on an assignment? Afterwards, he reached down and assisted you to your feet and said, "Alright now, get up and do better!" What shape would you be in? Could you really do a better job? More than likely, you’d need heal up before you could even think about a second attempt at whatever you nearly got stomped to death for. In fact, depending on how many times you’ve been beat up, you may not want to try again at all. Giving up becomes an easy out definitely more desirable than being physically abused. Yet, a lot of us do this to ourselves with pinpoint accuracy careful to hit every sensitive and vulnerable spot. I don’t doubt that you sincerely want to do better, but self-condemnation is not the way.
Romans 8:1 assures us that there is no more condemnation to those who have trusted in Christ and belong to him. His life giving power frees us from the sin cycle, which leads to death. Condemnation implies punishment but there is no punishment to those who have been forgiven. Jesus has already endured the punishment for us. Because of what he did, we can boldly approach the Lord for all the help we need. Jesus’ brutal death and his glorious resurrection make it possible for us to have abundant life in everything that pertains to us.
Rather than getting bummed out over what we feel are our numerous inadequacies, we should turn to the Lord for coaching and instruction. He knows how to shape you into the man or woman of God that He created you to be. He does this in a number of ways. He’ll put godly people in your path who will help to disciple you, He’ll lead you to a bible believing church and the Lord will also give you understanding of how to implement what you’re learning and how to apply it in your everyday life. Does this mean you’ll never make a mistake? No, but if you should inadvertently wander off the road and meander down a path that’s not for you, the Lord knows how to get you back on track. Trust him to do that for you. It’s not the Lord’s will that any should perish. He’s not sitting in heaven waiting on you to make a mistake so He can taunt or beat you up for your faults. That’s the image the devil attempts to plaster on your consciousness. Change that picture and visualize our Lord stooping down and gently brushing you off before setting you on the path He has already mapped out for you. The steps of a good man (and woman) are ordered by the Lord.
He has a plan and a purpose for you and He knows how to work all things together for your good. Notice how I’m making this personal? Make it personal for yourself. Believe it and act like it. The next time you’re tempted to give yourself some well-aimed mental blows of condemnation, remind yourself that you don’t hang out with those thoughts anymore. Give God praise for helping you to be all that he’s called you to be. He knows how to develop the potential he’s placed in you. Relax and let God do the work. All you have to do is say, "yes!" Can I Get An Amen?!
From the Can I Get An Amen II Story Collection © 2003 By Edwina Frazier |
