I'm going to take a brief interlude from my "keys to modesty" series, and write on something that has been impressed upon my heart.
Lately, I have been dealing with facing and accepting a lot of other peoples' sins. I've realized that, in the past, I've tended to put people on a pedestal (which is always a danger). I wanted to see the best side of them and not really see them as the sinful beings that we all are. In the past year or so, however, I've been disappointed by many people. Disappointment is a hard thing to deal with, I'm finding.
Today, I felt God was placing this truth on my heart- man will always disappoint. This is a result of sin. Because men and women will always sin here on this earth, they will disappoint us. The pedestal is fading, and I am beginning to see things more clearly. I think maybe this is a way that God is bringing me closer to him. He wants me to trust and rely on him fully... I can't trust and rely on men completely because they are going to disappoint us with their sin.
This is a painful process for me, since I've spent most of my life looking to man for trust and security, as well as acceptance, love and comfort. When someone lets me down (especially due to an act of sin), I am crushed. Devastated. My world feels like it's crumbling. How could this person do such a thing? Don't they know the pain they're causing?
Sin is a painful thing. It always will be. There are some days where it is so very hard for me to be alive in this world. Evil seems to be lurking around every corner, ready to devour its prey. Sometimes this feeling can be so bad that I feel like becoming a hermit in the mountains! :) Which would be funny, because even a hermit cannot hide from sin.
Anyway, I am hoping that I will continue to learn to look for assurance from the only one who won't disappoint me-Christ. I need to keep in mind that men will continue to disappoint me. Furthermore, I hope that I will learn how to love others who disappoint me, in a way which honors Christ.
Hopefully I will have more to write on this subject at a later date, but that's all I have for now. :) I may compose a post on "Marriage: What I've Learned So Far" soon, so stay tuned for that.
Have a wonderful week and best of luck to those of you with finals!
Blessings, Anna
Thank you for the nice finals wish :)
ReplyDeleteIt's much appreciated!
I like this post. I've been thinking about this topic a lot lately too, as I've been going through and studying Ecclesiastes and Ephesians. I randomly have a lot of thoughts to share, that I think you might like to read-some good verses!
I like Ecclesiastes 5, because it speaks of finding your joy in the Lord and what He has provided for you, even though sin and devastation are rampant in the world. It's a good one to read :)
In Ecclesiastes 10:12, it also says:
Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
but fools are consumed by their own lips.
And in another chapter, it says "One sinner destroys much good."
It can be so difficult to come to terms with the concept that sin is disappointing and destructive, but I think it is good to remember that we, as believers, are striving against that destruction, and we should be edifying one another with gracious words and building one another up. If one sinner destroys much good that has been done, then that leaves an ever-present amount of good for us believers to do.
Also, in Ephesians 4-verses 15 and 25, a strong instruction is made by Paul. He speaks of how it is the duty of members of the church to speak the truth to one another in love, laying aside falsehood. This is important, because it acknowledges that people are imperfect and mess up but also that sin should not be overlooked. We are commanded to speak words of truth and wisdom to those who are in sin, being honest and not ignoring what is wrong. It's imperative that we do not be "fake" in our interactions with fellow believers.
We should do this, because as the preacher says in Ecclesiastes 10:1 "As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." If we want to represent Christ ourselves, we should be open to correction and willing to give it in love to others, who are in need of it, so that wisdom and honor abound, rather than folly and disappointing behavior. We are to help one another get through life. :)
I'm sorry this is so long, but I LOVE this topic. Lastly, one of my favorite Bible verses is Psalm 61:2
For those days when you just want to go to the mountains and hide away from the world (believe me, I have them too), this is a good verse to think about. Sometimes life and other people just "get us down", but if we seek the Lord and his perfect safety, comfort, and help in these times, He will lift us up and be our foundation and our rock, bringing that joy back to life that only He can provide. :D
Psalm 61:2
From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
I look forward to reading your next post :D
-Emilee
Thanks Emilee :) I love everything you've said. By all means, you are welcome to write as much as you want on any of my posts! I will definitely look into those verses more in depth. I may have been venting more than coming up with anything productive. The main point I was trying to get across was that I rely upon others far too much, and I've come to that point/realization by dealing with a lot of disappointments (from people) lately. I hope I wasn't too much of a downer, but your words have encouraged me!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will conquer those finals :D
Anna
Continuing to pray for you and your disappointments with men (people).
ReplyDeleteAs Ron has often said, "If only I could see myself as others see me." Maybe if that were a constant in our lives we would strive more completely to rely only on the Lord.
Back to baking!!