Hope in everything but God...disllusionment and deity

I'm in a strange season right now where finding and understanding truth is hard.  People say one thing and do another entirely.  Relationships and jobs that felt rewarding and fulfilling and stable, feel ragged, faulty and sad. Our news is full of slander, murder and mayhem of all kinds. 

Sitting down and wallowing in the pit right now seems easier than trying to find a way to climb out.  Giving up feels like winning...and I don't want to win this way. 
I won't say things are impossible, for we know all things are possible with God, yet, I find myself extremely discouraged and my faith in people shaken. 

My faith in this world shook hard years ago, and I do not believe I have ever gotten that back.

And just like that, as I read through others struggles on various blogs and social media I am reminded that part of my "shook" feeling is the fact that my hope was in something other than God. 

There is no hope where there is no Jesus.  (Tweetable stuff here!)

No wonder I feel so disillusioned!  No one thing or person can provide the peace and joy that comes from being rooted in faith in Jesus Christ.  When my eyes come off Him, they have no safe place to land.  I get distracted by all the world offers and it is not long before I find myself falling.

Falling into comparison traps.  Falling into lustful thoughts...greedy thoughts...selfish thoughts.  Falling into fear.

My eyes MUST remain fixed on my Savior, otherwise I slide into sin.  Sometimes even the things that seem the most innocent, even that seem good (and may be good) can become a trap that ensnares us. 

If it pulls you away from God, then you need to drop it like a hot potato!  Or at the very least realign what it is with His word.  Marriage, career, kids...all positive, good things.  Blessings even.

Given the wrong priority though, they can become an idol...sin.  God is a jealous God and we are to place nothing above Him.  I know for myself when I do I reap negative consequences as I described above.

Why?  Why do I do this to myself?  It's definitely not worth the cost...Lord, help me stay fixed on YOU so I can enjoy the good things you give me, without making them idols that replace your presence in my life.

Can you relate to this?  What are the "good things" that get in your way of time with God?  What distractions pull you into the pit?

Know you are not alone...let's commit to lifting one another up!  We're stronger together in Him!

Guard our lips Lord...lest we speak in riddles and ridiculousness

"The reason we have divisions (race, class, etc.) is because we do not understand grace." - Dr. Tony Evans

Divisions are created in every relationship due to misunderstandings, poor communication, stubbornness, unforgiveness, refusing to apologize, disrespect of others, or a feeling of superiority over others.

Oh, and by the way, this happens in the church too.  In "religious" families.

It is no wonder we have a hard time influencing the culture, when we are so divided among those that are supposed to be the elect of God.  Our actions and especially our words are often no different from the worlds...

"Psalm 109:17-18 - When you curse when you ought to bless you bring the curse back on you.  The Bible is letting us know we need spiritual mouthwash." - Dr. Tony Evans

The Word also tells us that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45, abbreviated)  So if my heart is full of anger, bitterness and spite, guess what is going to come out of my mouth?  If I'm full of hurt, disappointment and sadness...full of shame...full of self-righteousness.

 

 

So this is my prayer today for myself and for all of us:

 

Lord let me be full of you...uproot any wickedness in my heart that is spewing out ugly words.  Pluck out any weeds that are growing out of ungodly desires, thoughts or feelings. 

Fill me with your Word...with your goodness and grace.  Let my heart meditate on you, that I may speak only those things that are good, pure and uplifting for the edification of my fellow man.

 

And even when ugly words or attitudes are hurled at me, do not let me become bitter.  Let those darts miss the mark, and bounce off.  Protect me from those that would seek to do me harm with their words.

How do you need to use your words better?  Are there any weeds that need to be plucked from your heart?  Let's talk about it so we can pray and lift one another up to freedom in Christ!