Struggles

I've discovered that, when I'm struggling before God, it's very hard to write a blog entry. I think it's because my inner voice is telling me that I need to straighten myself out BEFORE I start writing about spiritual things. You know, getting the log out of my own eye...

But I think it's important to be open enough to admit when we're struggling. If we don't, we all just look like a bunch of superficial super-Christians -- all plastic & no heart. And that's not what God calls us to be. He calls us to be parts of each other -- members of the same Body.

My current struggles are of my own making. I made some decisions over the past few years, & there have been consequences from those decisions. As I've said before, "It seemed like a good idea at the time..." And maybe I'm not too happy that God has placed me in these situations. Maybe I'm finding it hard to rejoice, & grasp contentment with where I am at this point in time. That oh-so-ethereal bliss of knowing you're right in the very center of God's will.

So for those of you who have these times of struggle too, remember that you're NOT alone. Every Christian goes through these times. Sometimes they may seem very dark. But even in that "valley of the shadow of death", we can have confidence that we don't walk alone. It may take some time to work things out with the Lord, but don't give up hope.

My eyes are dry, my faith is old.
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold.
And I know how I ought to be,
Alive to You, and dead to me.

But what can be done
For a cold heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine.
The oil is You, Your Spirit of Love,
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.

~~"My Eyes Are Dry" by Keith Green (Album: Keith Green Collection)