Big Lesson

Don't like your job?  Your marriage?  Your family?  Your whatever...?  Does that mean you can act hateful, hurtful, harmful.  Does it mean you can harbor anger, resentment, self pity and bitterness in your heart?  NO!  Every area of our lives is meant to give glory to the Lord.  

Romans 6:12-13 Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.  Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin.  Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life.  So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God.  

James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Just because we are unhappy somewhere in our lives does not give us the right or an out to live in self-pity and bitterness.  We don't get to strike out at others in our misery.  We are called to give God glory and thanks in ALL things  1 Thessalonians 5:18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  

For many years I was unhappy in my job.  It made me cranky and irritable...sometimes hard to get along with and my heart was always filled with disquiet and much of the time anger.  Was this the way God wanted me to handle being in a place I hated?  Did being there and feeling this way excuse me from acting godly and showing His love to others?  NO!  As I read Romans 6:13 I was convicted that I do just that anytime I am in a situation I don't like.  I tend to use my body as an instrument of unrighteousness (mostly my tongue!)  Wow.  What conviction.  What a lesson.  

Look at the letters of Paul.   Ephesians , Philippians , Colossians, and Philemon, all written while he was imprisoned.  All filled with help and instruction for others, encouragement, joy in the Lord, thanksgiving, all positive and God glorifying.  Does anyone really think Paul was happy about being in prison?  Does anyone think He was comfortable?  I'm sure he was not.  But he still glorified God and still kept his body to be used as an instrument for God's plan.  He still preached Jesus and still shared the Father's love.  He allowed the Holy Spirit to use him in the darkest of places.  Wow.  To be like that!

God doesn't call me to like every situation I encounter.   But He does call me to glorify Himself.  He does call me to walk in the Spirit and not to fulfill the lusts (or angry leanings) of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide our lives.  Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

I have a long way to go in this area.  But I know the first step is accepting God's correction and direction.  Proverbs 15:31-33 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.  If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.  Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.   Now it's time to submit to God's teaching and correction and work with the Holy Spirit to change my heart and behavior in this area.  Remember, as we work with the Holy Spirit, God will help us.  James 4:6 But He gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires.  As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble.  

Thank You Lord for the lessons you give, for the way You lead and guide us, gently correct us and call us to greater heights in You.  Give us humble hearts to listen, and strong spirits to obey.  In our precious Savior's Name.  Amen.

Seek to be an instrument for God wherever you are.