A Comtemplation: Choosing Life or Death

In the midst of confusing and challenging life circumstances, we can find ourselves asking a barrage of questions.  Why is this happening (to me)?  Where did it all go wrong?  What can I do to change or fix this?  All of us experience this in our lives.  We, as humans, tend to lean toward negative emotions and take responsibility or blame, sometimes when we shouldn’t.

I have learned and still in the process of learning how to name the challenge honestly and take it to the Lord.  My history has been one of overanalyzing everything to the point of exhaustion.  The Lord has been beyond patient with me.  He has allowed me to try to control things so that I could understand that I have no power without Him.  He has allowed me to complain and freak out so that I could understand the destruction that comes from being stuck in a negative mindset.  He has allowed me to worry and be fearful so that He could show me how faithful He really is. 

This process has taught me that God is ALWAYS faithful and His Word is a source of true encouragement and strength to me.  The Lord has been my guide (even when I have been reluctant to follow His lead).  Years ago, the Lord brought my attention to the words that I spoke.  He reminded me that words are powerful and have an inherent creative power.  

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.”  Psalm 33:6  

Also look at Genesis 1, He created everything by His Spoken Word.  We, humans, are created in His image, so that means our words have creative power also.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Proverbs 18:12

In the last couple of years, the Lord has been teaching me how to question the words I speak about myself and others.  Are the words we speak really true?  How do they compare to what God’s Word says about God, ourselves and others? What do we really believe about God and His Word?  Are these words fruitful or good for the building up of God and His Kingdom?  He’s teaching me how to identify lies and assumptions and to ask Him what He says.  Even recently, He has shown me that sometimes I am asking the wrong question(s).  He wants me to see through His eyes not mine.  If I can step back from the situation, refuse to be offended or a victim, then I can see more clearly and He can speak life into whatever is going on.

For example, if my question is “what am I doing wrong?”, I find my mind bogged down with all of my failures, shortcomings, and faults.  In my experience I then descend into a relentless attack of my mind as I berate myself for being a terrible parent/wife/friend/person and that I will never be good enough to deserve anything good.  I sadly get stuck here at least for a while. 

Recall that words have power.  As I look at the “answer” to this question above, all I hear are accusations.  So, who is really speaking?  My conclusion is the enemy, Satan, and/or my flesh (because we want to be perfect or innocent and realize we aren’t).  The enemy of our soul will always take every opportunity to attack and discourage us.  His goal is to monopolize our life with doubt and to make us as ineffective as possible.  So why are we opening the door for The Liar and Accuser of our souls by asking what’s wrong with us or what we are doing wrong?

We do have a choice.  Do we want our words/thoughts to invite life or death?  For the question to be helpful and informative, let’s change it to a request to God.  Ask Him to reveal any sin, false beliefs or lies that we are believing:  “Lord, is there any sin or wrong beliefs or lies that are preventing me from hearing what You say about me/others/God in this challenging circumstance?” 

There is a paradox here because we must surrender and relinquish control, dying to our selfish ways of thinking and acting.  As long as we try to hang onto control, we’ll live in turmoil and chaos.   As we release control, the Lord can lead us in His Way, His wisdom and He can freely speak to us.  He will convict us of sin so that we can repent and be restored to fellowship and grow healthier. He will reveal the truth of a situation and give us His direction. 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10    

Often, we want the Lord to help us understand what’s going on; however, we also bring our opinions and solutions to Him also.  Can we lay that aside so we can hear from Him?  By the way, I believe that He is fine with us bringing our complaints to Him as long as we are willing to surrender them to Him so we can hear His perspective or direction.  God wants to speak to you about your challenges.   Invite Him into the conversation.  

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."  James 1:5