Well, the shoe is on the other foot. I’m not the one needing the Great Comforter/Counselor, my friends are. I'm praying for them. When I was in need a mere moment ago, actually last week, I didn’t handle it well, at all. Through it all, I realized something about myself. I am an
emotionally driven individual. My emotions dictate the outcome of my actions and/or reactions, maybe not every time, but most.
In the last episode of ‘Life’s A Stage’, my title for my
familial drama that acts out on the canvas of my world, I didn’t handle the situation with grace and wisdom. I heard that my brother had been arrested for serious drug charges and I spiraled down into the dumps. I yielded to it and let my flesh feel exactly what it wanted to feel, think exactly what it wanted to think, say exactly what it wanted to say and …thus, acted it out.
I wanted the house as dark as I could get it. I wanted nothing to do with the Light and anything else that the outside world had to offer. I didn’t feel like praying, so I didn’t. I didn’t feel like answering the phone, so I kept my headset loud. I didn’t feel like going to church, so I didn’t. It was weird.
The LORD, finally broke through my darkness after
four days and began to work on me. Here’s a synopsis of what HE said,
“You made the wrong choice.” He revealed what
should have been my self talk, thus revealing my unbelief. I knew better.
Ro. 5:3 “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance…”
Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
1 Pet 4:13 “But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.”
Mtt. 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Psl 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
At some point, I turned on every instrument of praise in my house. Every room had ‘The Message’ blaring loud and clear. And doesn’t it say that
HE inhabits the praises? I snapped out of it and began to search for answers. First of all, the wrong choice is called
sin. So, I had to repent. I realized something...when I made the choices I made, I kindly escorted God off the throne and put myself on it. His thoughts, His feelings, His words and His guidance ceased to have meaning. And my thoughts, feelings, words and actions ruled the roost. I'm no theologian, but isn't that one of the ten commandments? Graven image, idolatry kind of stuff?
And, glory to God,
when I picked up my bible study again—He spoke! And through a story about
a little girl playing ‘I Spy’ on an airplane in a tumultuous time, I learned to play the same game in my topsy turvy situation. I was challenged by the author to play ‘I Spy’ with the verse Phil. 4:8 in relation to my disruption. And just a note of warning,
it wasn’t easy. I didn’t think there was anything noble, admirable or excellent about the matter. I even had to go to the original language and study synonyms before some of the answers came to me. Here’s the results:
I spy something true because: now my family can speak openly and honestly about my brothers’ drug problem.
I spy something honorable because: my brother is a son of the KING.
I spy something right because: it is for his own good that he follow the law of the land and God.
I spy something pure because: he will be forced to detox and be free from defilement and impurities.
I spy something lovely (pleasing) because: he is alive.
I spy something of good repute (admirable, praiseworthy and appealing) because: (this one was hard) God’s reputation in His child will not go unnoticed and God’s grace in this and every situation is praiseworthy. We don’t get what we deserve.
I spy something excellent because: of my brothers’ potential under Christs’ control is enormous.
