Temptation.
Yep. I'm writing a post at nearly two in the morning because I'm thinking about temptation. Everyone suffers from it. Everyone gives in to it. The only person who didn't was Jesus, and thank God for that, because otherwise we'd all be in a really bad spot.
There have been a few people lately who have surprised me with the temptations they've confessed to suffering from. Sometimes it's "little things" that don't seem a big deal compared to everything else. But it's still difficult to think about, especially keeping in mind that no sin is really above or below another. Other times it's things that I can identify with, and the other person and I can share our stories and help support each other.
The worst temptations are those that seem control our lives. The pet sins that we keep reverting back to. The addiction we just can't get away from, or that we have gotten away from, but it's still there in the back of our minds. Sin is everywhere, we can't ever get away from it. In the Garden of Eden our chance to live simple, sinless lives was spent. Now we live with the consequences of original sin: the plague of temptation and the painful results of giving in. What hope is there for us?
Tonight I've been reminded once again of how amazing our God is. Otherwise I would have refrained from writing at this hour, but I couldn't resist the chance to share an undeniable message from God. I was lying in bed, tortured by thoughts of the consequences we pay for sin in our lives and the lives of those around us. I turned on the light to read and calm my mind a bit, and decided to pick out a spiritual vitamin. Unfortunately, my jar is still packed in my college stuff, but I have a few lying on my nightstand. I reached over blindly to pick one up, and this is what it read: "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Incredible.
From the Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
pain (n) 1 : punishment, penalty 2 :suffering or distress of body or mind; also : a basic bodily sensation marked by discomfort 3 : great care 4 : one that irks or annoys
Pain. It's such an interesting concept. It's also something that, in a way, defines us. An ancient philosopher said, "Suffering teaches," and I believe he was right. We learn from our mistakes; we learn from the pain that we feel. In a philosophical way, pain (of the second definition) is a good thing in the end. The second and fourth definitions are most used by modern people. When we think of pain, we think of discomfort or annoyance. What is painful to you? There are the little things: the physical pain of humger, emotional pain of small disappointments, or mental pain of a difficult task. Unfortunately, those things are not the worst of the pain that we feel. In this fallen world, there is pain that is almost unbearable. The loss of someone close to us. Broken relationships. Disappointed hopes. Frail bodies. We humans face these and many more potent hardships often. Sometimes in the midst of all our pain it seems hard to believe that there is a God who loves us. Why do we suffer all this pain?
Revelations 7: 13-14, 16-17: "Then one of the elders asked me, 'These in white robes - who are they, and where did they come from?' I answered, 'Sir, you know.' And he said, 'These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb...Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; he will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
Christ the Lamb suffered the same pains that we humans do. He chose to remain among us and feel our pain, and felt a physical pain - death on a cross - that most of us cannot imagine. He won for us the reward of heaven, a place where there is no more pain, not even discomfort. When we feel as if our pain is too great, we have the comfort of knowing that heaven is waiting for us. Now that, dear friends, is something to look forward to.
One of the worst things in life is to be dealing with an issue that seems like a leech. Some things are so important to us that, even if we want to let them go, they stay attached and steal our thoughts and energy. Maybe a leech isn't the best picture, that's gross. Let's call it a band-aid. You've been hurt, and it's ugly, and you don't want it to get infected and be uglier, so you put a band-aid on it. It helps, doesn't it? It doesn't hurt as much when something hits the wound again. But I think we've all had the experience of leaving a band-aid on too long. Your skin gets all soggy and gross. Eventually you have to take it off and let the fresh air do it's work of true healing. Worst part: if it's a really good adhesive band-aid, it hurts to take it off. So the best plan is to rip it off quickly, so it's over quick and the healing can begin.
This is a good analogy for those problems we have that wound us. Especially relationships. I know it's something I talk about a lot, but it's one of my favorite subjects in life. Once I even used the band-aid analogy with a friend who went through a somewhat unexpected and painful breakup. With the wounds that cut the deepest, we always seem to want to take the band-aid off slowly. It may seem nice to go through the exposing process bit by bit, making sure to let go slowly so we don't forget anything. But at some point, we have to just rip it all out, trusting that God will heal us and that (in this life) we'll always have a scar to remind us of the experience, whether we'll look on the scar kindly or with sadness.
It says in 1 Peter 5:7, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." My Bible professor made an interesting point in class the other day. In English (and this is the case with many words, which is why translating the Bible is so difficult) we only have one word for that sentiment, "cast". But in Greek, there are two words. One means to cast as in fishing, with the intent of reeling something back in. This is the meaning we humans like to use when we're giving our problems to God. We say that he can have them, but we keep a hold on them so we can check up now and again. It like ripping off the band-aid and putting another on as soon as you're done. However, the word used in this verse means to get rid of permanently. To give the issue to him completely, and trust him to take care of it and give us healing. This is the way God intended it. He didn't design us to carry open wounds. He designed us to heal and carry scars. Like a plant with dead branches that still bears new growth.
Maybe it seems like we have to bear our own burdens, but God is fully willing to take them from us if we can only learn to give them.
I'll never learn.
I always want to take care of it myself. I never trust. I have hour-long panic attacks on the phone with my boyfriend because I've had barely any social contact outside of class for weeks. So I sit there and tell him that my life is hopeless; that I've prayed and waited and I'm tired of it. And the very next day I get invited to hang out in someone's room and go to a musical theatre showcase. Did it solve all my problems? No. But it certainly felt like God tapping me on the shoulder, saying "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
It's so hard sometimes to figure out the balance between leaving it up to God and making it happen yourself. When should I throw myself out there? (If it were up to me, never. Social daring is something I lack.) When should I focus on living my life and just trust God to throw opportunities in my face? When should I take them? Am I missing the opportunities I'm being given because I'm "not in the mood for people today"? Some people I know would tell me that I can't do anything. But I disagree, especially since I studied some of James the other day. Take James 2:14-16: "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, 'Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?" This of course is talking about our charity and witness to others, but it can apply to our own lives too. God oversees our lives and is in ultimate control, but there's a manner of truth to the phrase "God helps those who help themselves". For the thousandth time, I lament that God doesn't write instructions on the bathroom mirror every morning. But I suppose then faith would be pointless. It wouldn't even be faith, it would be scientific observation. "Oh, there is an unknown entity writing out instructions on how to live life well on my mirror. Must be God."
So for now (and always), I'm back to stumbling through life, praying for guidance. And yet, I still don't doubt that it's worth it. The things that happen in my life are sometimes just to emotional and incredible to call coincidence. Whether or not I always remember it, rich blessings are mine. Thanks be to God.
Note: The pictures labeled "creation's reflection" that will occasionally grace my blog are the original work of my gifted friend Beth. Obviously they have a logo, so it would be silly to copy them, but if you want to do it anyway, show your Christian love by refraining.
"'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken not my covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has compassion on you." Isaiah 54:10
Even in the most desperate of times, God is with us. Can we say the same? I know that I have a bad habit of deserting God in my darkest times. My human nature tells me that I have to throw my hands into everything and try to fix it myself. I think that I'm alone, just because I'm not looking hard enough to see what God is doing to make it all work out. But, just like every other time I fall short, God has it taken care of. Even when I desert God, he is faithful. His love never fails. How wonderful to know that I have a steadfast God who is always stronger than I am, and who will always come to my aid.
