You've been unjustly accused. You go to your best friend for prayer. What does she say?
"Cheer up! You're worse than that. In fact, we're worse than we even realize."
What?! Is that good news? Is that something to lift one's heart?
It certainly is when she continues. "Cheer up! God loves you. He has forgiven you in Christ. Your standing is in Him not because of your behavior."
A situation came up where everything in me wanted to rise up and defend myself. I was awake for part of the night praying and, I admit, stewing about it. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "What is so-and-so going to think of me?" Also I'm thinking what can I do to make the situation right?
Pride and unbelief are so sneaky, aren't they? Pride is wanting to maintain my reputation, to have everyone believe the best of me. I don't have any problem admitting I'm depraved and sinful, I just don't want certain people saying that of me. Unbelief is not believing that God is able to set to right what is wrong and thinking that if I can get the last word in, then something will change.
So I thank God for my friend and her encouraging words. She didn't side with me. She sided with the Gospel which is very good news.
"Cheer up! You're worse than that. In fact, we're worse than we even realize."
What?! Is that good news? Is that something to lift one's heart?
It certainly is when she continues. "Cheer up! God loves you. He has forgiven you in Christ. Your standing is in Him not because of your behavior."
A situation came up where everything in me wanted to rise up and defend myself. I was awake for part of the night praying and, I admit, stewing about it. In the back of my mind I'm thinking, "What is so-and-so going to think of me?" Also I'm thinking what can I do to make the situation right?
Pride and unbelief are so sneaky, aren't they? Pride is wanting to maintain my reputation, to have everyone believe the best of me. I don't have any problem admitting I'm depraved and sinful, I just don't want certain people saying that of me. Unbelief is not believing that God is able to set to right what is wrong and thinking that if I can get the last word in, then something will change.
So I thank God for my friend and her encouraging words. She didn't side with me. She sided with the Gospel which is very good news.
Very good post and very good advice!
ReplyDelete