When You Don't Want to Be There
The Amish are great encouragers of one another within the context of community...So--what about us-- it's all very nice and good to be an encourager, to exhort others to follow after God, to pray for them and befriend them. It's nice to be responsible, accountable, reliable---but everybody has a bad day once in awhile. That's why faith is such a hard thing to hold on to...those bad days. They knock you down and out literally. Somehow, you go from this perfectly sane, dependable person to a example of bad modern art---like splatters on a torn canvas. And you wonder, why am I here? I don't want to be here. Here could be your job, your family, your relationships, your home, your own skin...and then it gets harder. Because you know all the verses that say that "God's strength is made perfect in weakness," or "Take up your cross daily," and you sigh, because you don't feel like it. Well, here's the secret---you don't have to feel like doing the right thing to do the right thing. Feelings like wanting or not wanting have little to nothing to do with reality and active love. Is love a decision? Yes. Is parenting a screaming child a decision. Yep. Is continuing to work on a job that seems fruitless a decision? You betcha. So, forget those pretty, false faiths that tell you you'll get everything you want, that life will be easy, that problems will disappear---that's not Christianity. Following Christ is not for the faint of heart---but it is for the weary, and thank the Good Lord for that!
Kelly, I so love this post. Right now I am going through a physical battle, that leaves me tired, discouraged, and feeling frankly alone, even when I'm not. I find myself saying, "Why am I writing this positive review, and why am I encouraging this Christian author or friend on FB, when I'm so tired I can't even think straight, or am in pain." I do it because God put it in me, and though I'm feeling bad right now, I can't, nor do I want to stop the gift of encouragement that God has given me for others. But I do say many times, being the human creature that I am, "Oh, that I had wings as a dove...then I would fly away and be at rest..Psalm 55:6. I'm glad we don't go by feelings, Kelly, and thanks for the great reminder of that to me today.
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Dear Kelly,
Thank you for your thoughts re good times and horrendous times in one's life. Never thought about Christianity not being for the faint of heart but for the weary. It touched my heart because there but for the Grace of God go I. In Christ's Love, Martha
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Diana, I'm right exactly where you are right now. Earlier in the day I was encouraged and ready to take on the world. Right now I want to let go and cry. It's late and that doesn't help, but I too and hurting tonight, and I'm discouraged. I hope that a bedtime prayer and a good night's sleep will pull me back together. God be with you!
Nancee
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I loved what you wrote Kelly . I try to encourage people and though I may NOT tell them that everything will be ok I do tell them that if they have faith and lean on Him God will give them the strength to get through whatever we must face. I like Diana am facing physical ailments and have been for several years but my faith in God is what gets me though. It helps me to see others of faith also. thank you for the reminder that we cannot expect perfection here on Earth only in Heaven will we receive that.
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Such a good post -- very real!!! Also very practical!
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I love it, Kelly! You said it so well. Thanks for sharing such wise words!
Nancee
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I was unable to read your post. The blue writing on a green background was very hard to read and I look forward to enjoying your weekly notes I'm sorry to miss oneBeverly
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Dear Beverly,
I am so sorry! Please go to grantmegrace.com and look at the archived posts...it is there and much easier to read!
Thanks,
Kelly Long
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Thank you so much for this post! I had such an amazing week last week...felt that I was walking so closely with God. Then, yesterday and this morning, I had such a struggle with my emotions over an issue that has plagued me time and time again. Breaking free of old thorns can be so difficult, especially when the rear their ugly heads JUST at a time when we think we have them "licked"! But, your post and time alone in prayer this afternoon has reminded me of something...His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses...and how would we desire to stay close to Him if we were able to hold all things "in check" ourselves? Paul claimed he was wounded on every side, but never left the race. May we be able to one-day, like Paul, say, "I've run the race, fought the good fight," and hear our Lord say, "Enter in!"
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I enjoyed this excellently written post. We've studied encouragement lately in prayer meeting. The Lord must think I need a double-dose of this lesson. Thank you for your your contribution!
Kaye Whitney
kayewhitney@bellsouth.net
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