Still, struggling? Having more bad days than good? Does it seem dark? I get it and can relate. Lean in on your accountability partner for support, but don’t abuse or dump on them, they are not your savior. You are going to have to take a hard look at yourself and determine (discern) if you are in sin or going through the healing process. How do you do that? Take your Bible and not your opinion or anyone else’s, and see if your actions, attitude, motives, and heart are lining up with the Lord’s standards. It can be overwhelming, but if you want victory you must be willing to do business with God in the deep.
Temperature check
Are you praying (in Jesus’ name)? Studying the word of God? Believing His many promises? Going to church? Do you have a spirit and mindset of humility? Do you want to listen to the Holy Spirit or control Him? Is thanksgiving the topic of your conversations or murmuring and complaining? Are you still dabbling in that sin and think God is going to change his mind about it? Making excuses for that sin? Picked up a new sin? Still tithing? Still, sharing the Gospel? Did you stop doing the things God asked you to do? Are you surrounding yourself with laser-focused Christians? It’s not about performing or checking off your list if you have been naughty or nice. It’s about the temperature of your heart, trust, and commitment to the Lord.
If your actions line up with God’s standards you are probably going through the healing process or your commitment is being tested. Chastening does not feel good. There are consequences for our disobedience, but God has not forgotten you and will not leave or forsake you. When you are facing a trial, are you throwing in the towel or allowing God to show you and others His power?
Call sin what God calls sin
We must stop sugar-coating our sin if we want to be transformed into Christ’s image and reap his complete blessing on our life. Call sin what God calls sin so He can utilize us to help and encourage others. We tend to classify sin into levels. It’s those so-called “little sins” that we dismiss as no big deal and they cause great turmoil. Any level of sin breaks the heart of God.
If we want to come alongside someone we must be credible. It’s okay to be a work in progress, but we can’t be willing to have one foot in the spiritual realm and one foot in the world. Would you want to follow God if he had shaky and unsteady views? NO! If someone doesn’t want to follow you, let it be because so much conviction came upon them they walked away, not because you said one thing and did another. We call those people hypocrites.
It hurts
It hurts being chastened, but if we’re disobedient God will correct His children because He loves us. Just like you correct your children or someone in authority corrects us, it’s done out of care and for our well-being. Sometimes we don’t want to let go of sin because it’s familiar and in an ungodly way has been good to us. The thought of walking away hurts. You have allowed the devil to convince you that evil is good and good is evil. The devil is not your father, why are you taking instructions from the one that encourages your sin that nailed Jesus to the cross?
God is your Heavenly Father and allowed Jesus Christ to pay the penalty that you and I should have paid. The devil would not and will not do anything good for you because he hates you with the deepest hatred there is. He gives you a false sense of control to make you think you are running the show. You are his puppet submitting to his manipulation. He dresses sin up to entice and trap you and leaves you to try and clean up the mess. Take a glance back over your life and then look up and thank God for His mercy and long-suffering towards you.
Struggling is not always do to sin
Sometimes the struggle is because God is maturing us for kingdom work. Whatever He is calling you to do He needs to know you are rooted and grounded in His love and plan. Emotions and feelings can’t be our guide. If we listen to our emotions and feelings instead of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to have extreme highs and lows. Take an inventory to measure the depth of your roots.
The Parable of the Sower – some fell by the wayside – some fell upon stony places – some fell among thorns – some fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, Matthew 13:3-8
In conclusion
We must be honest about why we are struggling in our walk with Christ. If we are choosing to hold on to our past hurts and/or to willfully sin, we shouldn’t expect breakthroughs and freedom from bondage. If you have a test and don’t study for it, don’t expect to get a passing grade. Putting forth effort is a requirement for a promotion. In those moments when we’re struggling with hurts and sins, focus on the truth that God has blotted out our transgressions and turn back to Him.
I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee – Isaiah 44:55 KJV
ACTION ITEM(S)
- Will you be honest and confront yourself about why you are struggling?
- Are you willing to confess that to the Lord?
- Today will you surrender that sin to the Lord?
- Study Matthew 13:3-8
This is a great reminder for us to take personal inventory. I love the inclusion of the parable of the seed and sower. We must understand as we strive to grow the opposer will always try to take it away so we will stay as we are! I thanks God He gives me strength to keep putting one foot in front of the other! ❤️❤️
Lisa, Praise God for His strength! Taking personal inventories is something I do regularly. It’s easy to get off track so this helps me to monitor my thoughts, motives, and actions. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!!!
Hi Carol,
I am learning in a study in James chapter 1 the difference between trials and temptations. Trials are meant to mature us whereas temptations are a means to cause us to sin. Trials are for our success (spiritually) and temptations are for our failure.
Thank you for the reminder to call sin what it is and to confess it to the Lord quickly.
But I also want to remember that if I am going through a trial it is because God wants to make me more like his Son. “Consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” Praise God that we have a Savior who passed the test of temptations so that in his perfection He could face the trial of the cross for us!
Love you, Heidi.
Heidi, Thank you for sharing James 1 and your Bible study! I am thankful for the Holy Spirit allowing me to recognize that some of my struggles (trials) were because God was maturing me for His use. This was an area I struggled in trying to discern if I was in sin or going through a trial. This is why I frequently take personal inventories and check in with my accountability partners on the temperature of my relationship with Christ. Thank you so much for your comment!!!