There's a children's church song that is high energy and fun to sing because of the hand motions and increasing speed, but it hit me one day that it can also be very confusing and deceiving. Why? Well, it goes like this:
I'm inright, outright, upright, downright happy all the time.
I'm inright, outright, upright, downright happy all the time.
Since Jesus Christ came in and cleansed my heart from sin,
I'm inright, outright, upright, downright happy all the time!
Are Christians happy all the time? We might pretend to be, but no, we're not. We have some of the same struggles as everyone else. I recently read an article by Russell Moore entitled Why Facebook (and Your Church) Might Be Making You Sad. One of the things he says is, "By not speaking, where the Bible speaks, to the full range of human emotion—including loneliness, guilt, desolation, anger, fear, desperation—we only leave our people there, wondering why they just can’t be “Christian” enough to smile through it all." Have you ever felt that way? I have.
I think there are at least two reasons we tend to put on a façade: 1) It makes us feel more religious/spiritual, and/or 2) We sincerely have a desire to glorify God and show that He is real and trustworthy. But can we truly reflect what's real, if we ourselves are not?
I confess I am really struggling with something right now... and I am very discouraged... but it doesn't make me any less a Christian, and it doesn't make God any less real, powerful, or trustworthy.
If you happen to think of it when you go before the throne of God, would you mind saying a little prayer for me, too? Thanks...
I love you Rene' and I will pray for you. I agree- the Internet (and especially FB) can be limiting in what people post. It is too easy to give (what can seem like a platonic) pat-on-the-back when a friend is struggling. I will give you a real hug in person soon. But for now ((hugs)) to you my friend. Struggling doesn't mean you are any less-- it just means you are growing more.
ReplyDeleteOur preacher preached a sermon series he called "Ride the Wild Horses". The gist of it was that God gave us a wide range of emotions and they are all designed to be useful to us. Some of them can be quite "wild", though. It is our job to must "tame and ride" them.
ReplyDeleteThere are probably a lot of ways such emotions can be useful to us, when viewed properly. Here's one example. Just as physical pain is useful to teach us what things are dangerous, painful emotions do, too. Recognizing this can spur us on to positive behavior changes.
Now that I understand this better, I appreciate all emotions more...you might even say they make me happy.control our emotions, not let them control us. However, it is wrong to shut them away, we must "tame and ride" them.
There are probably a lot of ways such emotions are useful to us. Here is an example. Just as physical pain helps teach us what things are dangerous, painful emotions do, too. If dealt with properly, they can spur us on to make positive changes in our lives.
Now the I understand this better, I appreciate all emotions more...you might even say they make me happy.
(ACK! Sorry for the messed up post above. Obviously there were *cough* some copy and paste errors. Let's see if this one works out better.)
ReplyDeleteOur preacher preached a sermon series he called "Ride the Wild Horses". The gist of it was that God gave us a wide range of emotions and they are all designed to be useful to us. Some of them can be quite "wild", though. It is our job to "tame and ride" them.
There are probably a lot of ways such emotions can be useful to us, when viewed properly. Here's one example. Just as physical pain is useful to teach us what things are dangerous, painful emotions do, too. Recognizing this can spur us on to positive behavior changes.
Now that I understand this better, I appreciate all emotions more...you might even say they make me happy.
(LOL!! Still wrong! Please amend the end of that first paragraph as indicated below.)
ReplyDeleteIt is our job to control our emotions, not let them control us. However it is wrong to shut them away, we must "tame and ride" them.
Kris, thank you so much for both the virtual and real hugs. And thanks for being such a good friend. ((hugs))
ReplyDeleteknivesmominlaw, thank you so much for visiting and taking the time to leave such a wonderful response. I recently heard a teaching by Chip Ingram saying something similar. Thank you for bringing it to remembrance.
Dear Sweets,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting that you have received so many responses to this blog. Maybe it's because all of us have felt this way at times.
Life can be really tough, for the unsaved, AND the saved. Please try to lean on the Lord, and your Christian friends right now. We love you.
Your picture is very sad, but still beautiful. It is stark and serious, and I know, reflects how you feel. I am praying that things improve soon.
"In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world." Jesus.
hugs and prayers,
George
Thank you so much, George. ((hugs))
ReplyDelete