" A man's steps are directed by the Lord, How then can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24
It explains perfectly where I am at right now and I don't even think I am understanding it in the way that the writer means for it to be understood. I currently am a graduate, yet still a college student, straddling the threshold of college and real life without a concrete position in the earthly world we live in. I am seeking the Lord's Direction over my life, but don't yet understand it. I am striving to grow in my walk with the Lord and stumbling upon earthly roadblocks. Past wounds seem to be lingering and depressive tendencies reoccurring. We often hear suffering for being a Christian preached on. Paul was in chains for his dedication to preaching the Gospel and even still continued to preach it in his jail cell and to the prison guards. Spurgeon quotes 'have you yet suffered to the point of sweating blood?' Buster told us this morning that suffering for Christ leads to great reward, emboldens believers, focusses our attention, brings great assurance, and reminds us its only by the strength of Christ. But what about suffering from within yourself? What about suffering caused by your own bad attitude or when you just don't feel like ___ (fill in the blank). Ernest Smith brought a message tonight at Seacoast on how we should act when we are broken inside that convicted and encouraged me. We must hold ourselves to a higher standard!! Get out of your 'woe is me' mentality! I know when I am being subject to bouts of depression I am quick to jump to the 'victim' mentality. I have so much self-pity that I some how combine with self-loathing that I isolate myself so that others don't have to be subjected to it. But what are we called to do as believers? Ernest gave a suggestion that fit right into a high school motto my school lived by: Jesus Others Yourself (JOY). In your brokenness serve someone else! God is sovereign! Do you believe that? Do you live like you believe it? Treat others better than yourself while you are suffering. woah. How would that change you? I had a good friend tell me one time "make the most of your situation in this present suffering so that you can be in your best position for your next suffering". Makes sense huh? How you handle this present suffering is either going to prepare you for future sufferings or you're just going to continue struggle in the same way you already have. Why not prepare? Why not keep the devil from getting a foothold? Ernest's second point was "break the crazy cycle". I think I went 'crazy' on at least 3 people this week and have currently only apologized for one of my crazy outbursts (just realized that). Breaking the "crazy cycle" means not repaying "evil with evil or insult with insult'. Do what is UNnatural. Natural is retaliating in a fight, natural for me is isolating and internalizing, natural for you might be gossiping or lashing out. Whatever it is, break the crazy cycle! Serve those who hurt you unconditionally. Be the first to apologize in a fight. I also had a friend tell me that I should end every one of my sentences with "but God."
personal example:
I am lost and confused what direction I am supposed to be going BUT GOD. But God determines my steps no matter the course I plan in my heart and I can TRUST in the promises of the Lord that He will guide me.
What would happen if we all lived like this? What would happen if we were to hold one another accountable to this standard? I can only imagine the message would be clear. I think the message would be one that Buster preached this morning "in Christ alone". I am suffering but Christ knows ALL of my sufferings. I am lost but God is laying a path before my feet. I am lonely but Christ is in my midst! How do you handle suffering?
