Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.

All puffed up with our selfish desires to put ourselves first and foremost in all things we are quick to see where we are offended by others. We note right off when others aren't being considerate of our needs, of our right to have things just so. We feel put upon when we do give to others only to be given no gratitude for all we do for them. We feel sorry for ourselves and we're quick to tell others when we've been slighted so they can feed into our selfishness by commisserating with us. We don't want to hear that we might be at fault we only want others to agree that we've been slighted and therefore deserving of pity or at least recognition that in some way we are the downtrodden not the one doing the downtrodding. When we see the subservient ones, when we hear of one allowing themselves to be badly used we shudder and wonder why they're not standing up for their rights, standing up for themselves against such abuse. We don't consider that it might not be abuse in the sense we believe. We are just so warped in our thinking by all these 'rights' people have that we are blinded to the truth. We don't want to be told that love is being selfless, not when the world is telling us to think of ourselves first and not let anyone step on our feelings in any way.


People want to know how they as Christians should be and all the while they cling to the bumper sticker saying that shouts, Christians aren't perfect just forgiven. Yes, that's the sort of Christian I am. That gives me the license to do as I'm inclined by my warped nature rather than hold myself accountable for my actions. Instead of repenting and by the grace of God putting off the old man and taking on the new, I can keep the old man and just keep asking for forgiveness without true repentance. This what people want.


Then we get the hounding from the devil that we don't even want to acknowledge as being hounding because it's thoughts we are thinking, so it makes it even worse when we hound ourselves with the thought that it's all too hard, too much, impossible for us to attain and well, just not going to happen. The despair quickly sets in and rather than cling tighter to Christ we loosen our hold letting it slip away as we condemn ourselves by saying it's just too hard, we're too weak. We don't realize that it is that very weakness we are proclaiming that brings the realization home that we need to be closer to Christ than ever, clinging to His love, His salvation, love and salvation we can never produce on our own.


The Bible tells us...

Romans 12:9-12:21

Let love be without dissimulation. ((dissimulation meaning- not being feigned, not pretended, not hidden, not diguised))
Abhor that which is evil.
Cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love.
In honour preferring one another.
Not slothful in business.
Fervent in spirit.
Serving the Lord.
Rejoicing in hope.
Patient in tribulation.
Continuing instant in prayer.
Distributing to the necessity of saints.
Given to hospitality.
Bless them which persecute you.
Bless, and curse not.
Rejoice with them that do rejoice.
And weep with them that weep.
Be of the same mind one toward another.
Mind not high things.
But condescend to men of low estate.
Be not wise in your own conceits.
Recompense to no man evil for evil.
Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves.
But rather give place unto wrath.
For it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him.
If he thirst, give him drink.
For in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.



We justify our anger, our upset, our wrath by feeling put upon and pointing our fingers at those who have caused this in us, not realizing that they don't cause it at all. Our reactions are not determined by anyone's behavior. We determine our own reactions and if they are less than charitable it's not because anyone else has caused them to be so but rather our own failings have. Instead of pointing our finger and making excuses we need to ask for forgiveness for our responses no matter how much the world tries to convince us that we are justified in our anger, our upset, our vengence.


Please Lord, we would be Yours.
We know how unworthy we are and how Satan would have us ever despair of being truly Yours.
We cling to You Lord! We cling to You! You're our only hope!
By Your grace Lord, by Your mercy!
Save us!
Help us!
Ourselves being our biggest obstacle.
Help us!


By Your Love, Your Grace and Mercy, we cling to You Lord!


By Your Will now and forever!


Amen.