Is it ME That is the Problem
Is it ME that is the Problem?
When we find ourselves stuck, bogged down in the mire, unable to let go and move forward – we quickly realize there is a problem – a really BIG problem. However, our swirling thoughts convince us that we have been mistreated, rejected, overlooked, dismissed, judged, and we are mad, resentful, hurt, devastated, sad, and quite frankly - sinking. Can we be honest; are we brave and bold enough to go there? The reality is… when we find ourselves stuck, we have allowed ourselves to sink. And now we are stuck in our pretty pity pit – not moving forward, not doing what God would have us to do, stuck. There is a problem, a really BIG problem.
Is it ME that is the problem?
Last week, we talked about the fact that Stuck is Yuck. It is not a fun place to be. When we are stuck we are in isolation with our fear, our pain and our devastation. I don’t know what has brought you to this place – maybe someone hurt you, maybe you suffered a great loss, maybe you have realized this is not the life you had planned. Whatever it may be – I understand – it is hard. This life we are living is hard and it is unfair; we have an adversary and he is coming after us. We should be suiting up in the full armor of God – strapping on the belt of truth, wearing the breastplate of Christ, stepping into the shoes of peace, holding up the shield of faith, donning the helmet of salvation and yielding the sword of the Spirit. But… instead, we walk into battle with our feelings and we declare “I feel… I think… In my opinion… But, I want… I need… Why? I don’t understand…” and so on and so on.
Oh God, is it Me that is the problem?
We have fallen into the worldly belief that our life is all about me - I want to be happy; I want my dreams to come to fruition; I want to live out the picture I have created in my mind of what my life should be like. However, God clearly tells us that we will experience times of trouble. There will be heartache and loss, disappointments and criticism, and situations that simply do not make sense to us. (After all, look at all that Jesus experienced.) Jesus tells us that the great commandment is to love the Lord, our God with all of our heart, soul and mind and to love others as we love ourselves. Then the great commission is to go into all the world and tell them about Jesus and teach them what the Word says so that they can walk in obedience to it. So, is my life all about me or is it all about Him?
Oh Lord, I think it is ME that is the problem.
Whew! Don’t you hate it when you realize that you are making the hard things even harder? So, what are we to do? How do we stop being the problem and start easing out of our stuck places?
Knock our hurt off the throne of our heart and place God back where He belongs. He is our life. He is everything! Everything we have ever wanted, everything we need, and everything that will get us through what has us stuck. He is enough.
Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Exercise forgiveness. Forgive those you need to forgive – even if that person is you. There are very direct commandments that we are to forgive – even when others do not ask for it, and they certainly don’t deserve it. Our forgiveness honors God and frees us from the mire where we currently wallow. I use the word exercise forgiveness – because we have to do it over and over again. In the beginning it is really hard (just like a push up is for me) but, the more you choose to do it, the more you will do it in little things and big things. (Side note: forgiving does not equal trust. Sometimes there is a need to set a healthy boundary and that is okay. Be kind, love and be careful what you allow into your life.)
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:12-13
Give it all to God. Those burdens are not yours to carry. Girl, set down that baggage – it is too heavy for you. Sometimes we are on the struggle bus - we just cannot seem to let go and let God have it. I remember a time like that and had to physically kneel and lay my burden down, only to pick it back up just minutes later. When I realized I had picked it back up – listening to the swirling thoughts - I physically knelt again and gave it back to Him. Sometimes I would do this over and over a dozen times a day until I finally left it where it should be – at the foot of the cross.
Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22
God loves us so much He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. We need to repent for our stuckness (um, not really a word) and all that we have done to attribute to it. We need to exchange our stuckness for Truth. What do we know to be true?
o We know that God is good – all the time – even in our heartache.
o We know that He is Immanuel – God with us.
o We know that when we don’t have the words to pray, the Holy Spirit moans on our behalf. (What great love!) Just whisper, “Help!”
o We can count it all joy. What? Yes – all of it – hard things and good things – all of it. James 1:2 tells us, “My brethren, count if all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” This hard place can take you deeper in intimacy with your Savior, grow your testimony, change you, perfect you and cause others to come to know Jesus.
Seek the abundant life. John 10:10 says, “The thief does not come except to steal and kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” A destroyed life is in direct contrast to abundant living. So… who has you stuck and Who is calling you into freedom? Recognize the difference and choose wisely.
God has more for you, don’t let Satan keep you stuck. Don’t let your adversary cause you to be the problem. Look up, girl! He is waiting. Step up out of that pretty pity pit and into the life God has for you. While you are here on this earth, He wants to comfort you and give you peace. He wants to grow you and call you into intimacy with Him. He wants to use you and your life for His glory. And in a little while (our time here is just a blip) He will call you home to Him where you will be perfect and complete. I can only imagine…
Hi there! I am so thankful you are here. Let’s be an encouragement to one another to live the abundant life Jesus came to offer us. Let’s keep reminding each other to put Him first in our life.
Who do you know that you want to invite to join us here. Share this link and tell your friends to subscribe so they never miss a post. We are talking about being stuck. Ever been there? Sure you have. When we find ourselves in this state of stickiness (Yes, I made that word up.) what are we to do?
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