Know Thyself

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. Proverbs 18:15 

  

  There are not many wonderful or useful things regarding health problems and ongoing illnesses and diseases of body and mind. But in particular it has made me honest and forced me to acknowledge my limitations on a daily basis, and there is some profit in that. 

  Too many people will not admit to weaknesses or disabilities of any kind. Indeed, we hold people in high regard who are stoic about problems and personal weaknesses. We encourage dishonesty about real problems and issues, even adding virtue to the idea of suffering silently as the world goes by. 

  Yet the truth is there is nothing noble, wise, or courageous about being dishonest with yourself and those around you regarding serious health issues of mind and/or body. What often happens is the world eventually comes crashing down around your ears and then weakness that were there all along are on public display for all to see. Rather than keeping it hidden, your faults are “shouted from the rooftops”. 

   

The unexamined life is not worth living 

---Socrates 

  

  When we come to know ourselves, recognizing both our weaknesses and strengths, we are better able to accept and deal with the reality we are given. While optimism and a positive outlook is are good things, denying reality and living in a fantasy mind-set is not. 

  We must recognize problems and deal with them when they arise. We must admit to ourselves our real weaknesses and failings. Only by doing so can we advance through life armed for the challenges we will face. Only by knowing ourselves and recognizing our weaknesses can we go to the Lord and ask for the grace and strength to get better, and overcome, and often just survive the challenges we all must deal with in life. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, we all fall short of Your example, and we all need grace and mercy to help us through mental, physical, and moral failings and shortcomings. We are a temple of God living in clay houses that need all the help You can give us Lord. Help us today and every day to recognize, overcome, and survive each weakness and every disability. Amen. 

When We Receive Criticism About Our Illness

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

  

  Christians with afflictions are often familiar with the book of Second Corinthians because the Apostle Paul mentions his struggle with affliction. It is strange that I never questioned the reason why he made mention of his affliction. Recently, while reading the ESV Study Bible about Second Corinthians, I discovered that the reason the Apostle Paul made mention of his affliction was because his authority was being questioned due to his affliction. 

  We have all come across this. Either we have questioned our own standing with God because of affliction, or others have purposely or inadvertently questioned whether we did something, or were doing something to displease God and caused our affliction. 

  The Apostle Paul was making a defense of his standing with God and also teaching the Corinthians that they had it all wrong. Affliction does not mean we are outside of God’s will. Instead, affliction is an opportunity for God to show His grace, strength, and power through us. 

  Perhaps it is human nature that causes us to look for the source of pain and suffering. If we step on a nail we immediately look for the source of pain so that we can remove it. Likewise, with illness and affliction, we want to know what caused it. Did we do something wrong? Is God angry with us? Can we stop some action, or begin some new action that will end our suffering? 

  Sometimes a headache is just a headache. Sometimes a disease or affliction is just a disease or affliction. Perhaps the only real meaning we can find for our afflictions is by taking that pain and suffering and allowing God’s comfort to reach through us and out to others who are also suffering pain and affliction. 

  When you are tempted to blame yourself for your illness, or when others are blaming you for your illness, remember the Apostle Paul. He was afflicted to the point that fellow Christians were questioning his status and relationship with God. Yet Paul is proof that God takes us in our afflictions and delivers His own power and glory and goodness through our afflictions. We are vessels of His grace, not victims of His wrath. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, when we are tempted to doubt ourselves and to doubt You because of our afflictions, remind us that You use weak and afflicted people to show Your grace and power. Amen. 

  

God's Way Of Escape

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 

  

  My grandmother lived in a house that was built for moonshiners. Moonshine whiskey, the brewing, selling, and moving of this product was a big business for poor mountain people in Appalachia a half-century ago. My grandmother’s house was a remnant of that earlier era. The thing that reveals it was built for moonshiners is that it is a small house with four rooms. And each of the four rooms have a door to the outside so the moonshiners could escape no matter what direction law enforcement came from to arrest them. They always had a way of escape. 

  Believers in Jesus Christ also have a way to escape impossible situations. Yet we only have one way, through one Person. Indeed, Jesus is called the Door to God, the Only Path to God. Jesus is our way of escape not only from the law that convicts us all of sin, but from every impossible obstacle, every wall we hit in life. 

  Sometimes we find our escape takes us through the wall, at other times over the wall, or even under the wall. No matter the obstacle, when Jesus is there we know our escape is sure.  

  God’s way for His children is Jesus Christ. He is our Source, our Supply, our Healer, and our Redeemer. He is our Everything in all situations. 

   

We have escaped like a bird from the fowler’s snare; the snare has been broken, and we have escaped. Psalm 124:7 

  

  Life can make us feel trapped in many ways. Illness can seem like a prison, sins can rob us of hope and joy, situations can arise that cripple us with fear. In all these ways and many more--Jesus is our escape from and through all threats and dangers that beset us. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, life brings challenges, troubles, and many dangers our way. Help us to escape through Your power and presence and sacrifice. You are the only way of escape from this world Lord, bring us safely through until we reach the Father’s House. Amen. 

  

Giving And Receiving Comfort

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119:50 

  

  It is encouraging to have doctors and nurses that understand and practice giving comforting words to their patients. But how terrible it would be to look for comfort from such people and only get cold words or indifference. So it is it with any situation that hungers for comfort. 

  God brings us comfort in many ways. Sometimes He uses people, or events, or changes in circumstances to encourage us. At other times it is a feeling in our spirit that God is with us, perhaps His Holy Spirit whispering into our heart that everything will work out fine. 

  I think that there are times we are so busy or preoccupied that we really don’t give much thought to the idea of giving or receiving comfort. But let our circumstances toss us into a stressful or trying situation, and then comfort becomes all important. 

  We will need comfort throughout our lives, and it is good to be always ready to give comfort and encouragement to others. A kind word or gesture, and a listening ear can make all the difference. We may never know how much an act of kindness and consideration can help someone in need of comfort. 

  Afflictions, hardships, illnesses and diseases can take a toll on us and leave us injured not only without, but within our souls. Sometimes we are injured due to the action or inaction of others. At other times life throws hardship into our path and leaves us worn and weary and wounded. Whatever the cause, we need comfort for our souls. 

  If you are in need of comfort, allow yourself to accept comfort from others. Be willing to engage other people, willing to reach out to others, and encourage them when they need comforting. Indeed, comforting others may be the salve you need for your own wounded soul. 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for comforting us in our afflictions, and help us to be aware of others in need of comforting and encouragement. Amen. 

Made In The Image Of God

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 

  

  Holding my newborn grandchild in my arms I could pick out features from various family members. It is amazing to see a new creation that reflects the features of a previous generation. 

  God must have felt the same sense of wonder when He created man and woman, Adam and Eve. God made us to look like, and reflect the traits of our Creator.  

  When we see our children fail to live up to their potential we feel disappointment. On the other hand, when we see them excel we feel joy. We are connected to the outcome and success of our children’s lives. How much more is God connected to us as a manifest representation of His glory. And for those who are His born again children, we reflect not only the physical, but the spiritual traits of God on this earth. 

  

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship... 

---C.S. Lewis 

  

  No human should have a mean thought about themselves. You are made in the image of a God that it will take an eternity to begin to comprehend His majesty and glory. We are so much like Him, it is no wonder that He cares about how we treat each other. When you offend or harm another, you do not just injure a person, but one made to be like God. 

  My little grandchild amazes me. She looks like an angel, but in truth, she was made to be like God. 

  You may not feel very god-like, but we were all made to be godly. Never forget you are a child of the living God. You are made to be like your Father.  

  Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to never lose sight of the object of Your creation, to make us in Your image, and have eternal fellowship with You. Amen.