Faith Journey- Day 2

Day 2- Who’s to Blame?

On Day 1, I explained how I was angry with the Lord and finally laid that out before Him. But, before I had that break through, I was suffering from self diagnosed  “extreme guilt syndrome.”

 I don’t know about you, but anytime I find myself in a difficult situation, I wonder if it’s my fault. What did I do wrong? What could I have done differently? Is God punishing me?

When Ryan was born, we were expecting a healthy baby. After all, that’s what we had prayed for. We did not expect our beautiful son to be born with life threatening health problems that sent him to NICU. And would require open-heart surgery.

I began questioning everything I had done during my pregnancy. Although, I was very conscious about eating healthy and eliminating the things that were unhealthy, I took the burden of Ryan’s condition on myself. I examined every aspect of my pregnancy because I thought it could have been my fault. Worse, yet, had I offended God? Was He punishing me?

After self-examination, God did assure me, through the power of His Word, that Ryan’s condition was not my fault. He bought back to my mind Psalm 139: 13-17 and John 9:1-3. He reminded me that HE is our sovereign Creator. Nothing escapes Him or happens without His knowledge and permission. In THIS situation, God tended to my burdened heart and released me from my self-imposed guilt.

However, there have been times in my life that my Father God enacted discipline because of my sinful actions. I believe that is why I reacted to Ryan’s illness the way I did. I wanted to be sure that our situation was not Daddy’s discipline.

This is the heart of today’s lesson–

When things go wrong in our lives…do we analyze ourselves to see if we bear “fault” in the situation? I feel strongly, based on the scripture we will study, that we should.

In my growing relationship with The Lord, I have learned that it’s healthy to look inward first before launching to blame someone else or to justify my actions/choices. Let’s be honest, it’s easier to blame others than take responsibility for our actions.

Today, we will learn how to examine ourselves before the Lord. Some difficulties or trials we face are for the express purpose of refining, sifting, and ministry preparation. But, some difficulties are the result of sin that has gone unchecked far too long.

Let’s do a heart check–

• Read Psalm 26:2 and Psalm 139:23-24

 

 

What does David ask God to do? Why do you think this is important?

 

Long before David took the throne, he was chosen and anointed King. However, it was a long, scary, and tedious journey to the throne. God had a lot of prep work to do in David’s heart and mind before He placed him on the throne. That prep work included a heart of repentance and an unwavering faith.

 

 

• Read Jeremiah 17:9-10

What is deceitful or desperately wicked?

 

 

According to verse 10 what does God search?  What does he test or examine?

 

 

I love the way the NASB translation lays it out there plain as day…

“ ⁹ The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? ¹⁰  “I, The Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.”

Jeremiah 17:6-10

 

I heard a saying when my boys were young and quickly placed it into my parenting tool box, “obedience brings blessing, disobedience brings consequences.” To every sinful or disobedient act, there are consequences. Some of our situations are the result of sin. It is so important that we start calling them what they are and stop justifying our sinful attitudes and actions. Our hearts (feelings) can and will deceive us. Every action must be scrubbed against God’s Word. If we are disobedient to His Word, it’s sin.

Anytime you find yourself in the midst of difficulty, ask The Lord through the Holy Spirit to, first, examine your heart and test your mind. Then, immediately repent if your behavior has been contrary to scripture.

This is HARD! I am right there with you…

Examine the difficult situation that you shared on Day 1.  Do you need to ask the Lord to examine your heart and test your mind?

 

Pray and ask the Lord to examine your heart and mind to see if there is any evil  or hurtful actions that need to be cleansed. Then, repent of the sin He brings to your mind. The Lord can redeem any situation. Yes, even those of our own sinful making. He is the Restorer of our souls.

Maybe today your heart was unburdened of your own version of self-imposed “extreme guilt syndrome” by your Creator and Sustainer. If you did not already do so, please read Psalm 139: 13-17 and John 9:1-3. 

Stay on the journey…don’t give up!

I am praying for you!