Once again I must confess I have been slumped somewhat in a spiritual "valley" if you will.
It has led me to not be the eager beaver I attain to be regarding blogging. However, today on my FB page I put it out there asking for help on what to do regarding the issue. A very helpful lady over at Hidden Treasures offered great advice.
So, here I am once again laying it all out saying that I am now taking on the attitude of, "I KNOW I CAN!".
I think as Christians we sometimes, without thinking or maybe some do think this, that we are "untouchable" by Satan. But I believe that in reality it is the polar opposite. I think that the more we follow and chase after God , the more he(Satan) wants to destroy us.
My husband and I have been making some major changes regarding things within our home. Just tightening the reigns even more, if you will. Last night, he asked me what the issue was with why I haven't been upholding my normalcy of housework. You see, I'm an organizer to the point of annoyance! If there is something that I see as I'm walking out the door that isn't where it is supposed to be, I think about it the entire time that I am gone. It literally bugs me to that degree. I don't really show that side, its more internal, but my husband knows how I am! So when he asked that question last night, I looked around the house and I had to ask myself the same thing, "What is the problem?"
I quickly realized that it is a combination of things.
#1, I'm being selfish. There are other things that I want to do (a project, craft, extra sleep etc) instead of doing what my responsibilities are and that is being the KEEPER of my home.
#2, LAZINESS! I'm just being lazy! There's nothing better to say than that!
#3, not spending enough time feeding my spirit and spending time with the Lord.
I don't know about you all, but when I'm not spending ENOUGH time with Him, it starts to show in my actions and attitudes!
We are experiencing a season of change, and while I don't ever fight change that often (I usually embrace it with a smile) I'm struggling this time.
There was a post that I had written about a story in a book called, 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' (chronicles of narnia). Eustes, was a boy who was just down right rotten. He had a bad attitude, he was nothing but negative, he had an opinion about EVERYTHING!!! Just not the type of person you want to be around. At one point in the book he had turned into a dragon. When he encounters Aslan, he is informed that in order to deal with the pain he(Eustes) must scratch the top layer of skin off with his nails. So, he begins to scratch and there is some relief but, he's done all that he can do. Then he turns to Aslan and Aslan says, "Now I must do the rest." As Aslan approaches with his sharp claws, he begins to scratch ad tear away at the skin. Eustes expresses that it hurts so badly but yet feels so good. The end result, he became a boy again and he had been completely transformed from that rotten, nasty boy into a pleasant and loyal companion.
My point, I feel like I'm losing that layer of flesh right now. I've done what I can do and now, the Lord is the one who must take over.
Does it hurt?
YES!
Is it hard?
YES!
Is it worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!
James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I've begun to cling to these words that he wrote:
1:(2)Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously an without reproach, an it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought to not expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways...(12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
I hope that these words have encouraged you, I know that just talking (typing) it all out has brought comfort to my spirit. May God be glorified in our trials just like He was in the day of Job...
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
-Romans 8:28
It has led me to not be the eager beaver I attain to be regarding blogging. However, today on my FB page I put it out there asking for help on what to do regarding the issue. A very helpful lady over at Hidden Treasures offered great advice.
So, here I am once again laying it all out saying that I am now taking on the attitude of, "I KNOW I CAN!".
I think as Christians we sometimes, without thinking or maybe some do think this, that we are "untouchable" by Satan. But I believe that in reality it is the polar opposite. I think that the more we follow and chase after God , the more he(Satan) wants to destroy us.
My husband and I have been making some major changes regarding things within our home. Just tightening the reigns even more, if you will. Last night, he asked me what the issue was with why I haven't been upholding my normalcy of housework. You see, I'm an organizer to the point of annoyance! If there is something that I see as I'm walking out the door that isn't where it is supposed to be, I think about it the entire time that I am gone. It literally bugs me to that degree. I don't really show that side, its more internal, but my husband knows how I am! So when he asked that question last night, I looked around the house and I had to ask myself the same thing, "What is the problem?"
I quickly realized that it is a combination of things.
#1, I'm being selfish. There are other things that I want to do (a project, craft, extra sleep etc) instead of doing what my responsibilities are and that is being the KEEPER of my home.
#2, LAZINESS! I'm just being lazy! There's nothing better to say than that!
#3, not spending enough time feeding my spirit and spending time with the Lord.
I don't know about you all, but when I'm not spending ENOUGH time with Him, it starts to show in my actions and attitudes!
We are experiencing a season of change, and while I don't ever fight change that often (I usually embrace it with a smile) I'm struggling this time.
There was a post that I had written about a story in a book called, 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader' (chronicles of narnia). Eustes, was a boy who was just down right rotten. He had a bad attitude, he was nothing but negative, he had an opinion about EVERYTHING!!! Just not the type of person you want to be around. At one point in the book he had turned into a dragon. When he encounters Aslan, he is informed that in order to deal with the pain he(Eustes) must scratch the top layer of skin off with his nails. So, he begins to scratch and there is some relief but, he's done all that he can do. Then he turns to Aslan and Aslan says, "Now I must do the rest." As Aslan approaches with his sharp claws, he begins to scratch ad tear away at the skin. Eustes expresses that it hurts so badly but yet feels so good. The end result, he became a boy again and he had been completely transformed from that rotten, nasty boy into a pleasant and loyal companion.
My point, I feel like I'm losing that layer of flesh right now. I've done what I can do and now, the Lord is the one who must take over.
Does it hurt?
YES!
Is it hard?
YES!
Is it worth it?
ABSOLUTELY!
James is one of my favorite books of the Bible. I've begun to cling to these words that he wrote:
1:(2)Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously an without reproach, an it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought to not expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways...(12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
I hope that these words have encouraged you, I know that just talking (typing) it all out has brought comfort to my spirit. May God be glorified in our trials just like He was in the day of Job...
"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose"
-Romans 8:28
5 comments:
Awww, thank you! I know you can do it. You never know what God might use to help someone else. I think we go through things just so that one day we might be able to help others in that same condition! Keep up the good work. ~ Angela
I appreciate your words very much! I think that learning to be "vulnerable" in certain situations is something that the Lord is teaching me right now. I have to admit, it's a trial that I haven't encountered yet, and...it's definitely forcing me out of my comfort zone.
But I know that it will all makes sense in hindsight!!!
Wow - girl you hit me to my core this morning with your words! Thank you for being so transparent because your story reflects my struggles right now. I've been struggling with laziness in exactly the same ways. Thank you for being a blessing to me!
Ann
www.stringermama.com
Thank you for sharing your heart. That is never easy. I found you through Hidden Treasures fb post. and look forward to reading more!
Thank you all!!!
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