Dear Friends,
Have we so quickly forgotten what we are made of? In a world telling us to be strong...we try so hard. We try so hard to hold ourselves together. We have panic attacks, autoimmune disorders, ulcers, chronic pain, depression...Why can't we do this on our own?
BECAUSE WE WERE NEVER MEANT TO FIND STRENGTH IN OUR FLESH.
WE WERE NEVER MEANT TO HOLD OURSELVES TOGETHER.
Once again we have believed a lie from the enemy that we don't need God.
But God remembers who we are:
As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. Psalm 103:13-14
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7
I am convinced that the Lord allows brokenness into our lives in order to draw us to himself. In order to reveal our tremendous need for Him.
In God's Pursuit of Man, A.W. Tozer states:
"It was to save Jacob from deceptive hope that God confronted him that night on the bank of the river. To save him from self-trust it was necessary for God to conquer him, to wrest control away from him, to take His great power and rule with a rod of love. "
I have found myself broken. Powerless. Crushed. And in those moments when I turned to the Lord-He strengthened me. The thing is, even when we have believed a lie of the enemy it doesn't have to be the end of the story. God will use the brokenness that results from believing the lie to draw us to Himself. Nothing is wasted.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Finally, I just want to clear up any confusion. I am so tired of there being this hushed stigma about reaching out for help! I am so tired of no one wanting to be real! No one wanting to shed light on the fact that WE ARE ALL BROKEN! No one is really holding it all together! Do not believe this lie!!! When I found myself at my lowest, I finally conceded that maybe I couldn't pull myself up by my own bootstraps. Maybe there was a method to my madness...maybe there were some unresolved areas of my life that led me to make bad choices over and over again....So I went to a counsellor. This is not to say that I've got it all figured out now.. This is simply to say that we do not have to hide our need for community in this life.
Jesus did not walk this earth alone. Instead, He spent time in prayer and communion with the Father, and time walking with like minded men sharing meals, conversation, and ministry. He walked out the example of how we are to conduct our lives. Being brave enough to seek wise counsel is not weakness but strength. These days the Lord has blessed me with a Godly mentor who is willing to say the hard things to help me live a Godly life. I am so thankful.
Today I simply want to encourage you...If you are struggling- Please reach out. It's hard to help someone if you don't know that they are drowning. I am praying that you find the hope that is in God alone. I'm praying that you find the healing that only He can bring. Simply ask, and His Spirit will empower you to take the hard steps. Remember that this, "all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."
Leigh
