THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG


My toes MUST be black and blue!  The book I am currently reading is stepping ALL over them!  If they aren't bruised, my heart is for certain.  In fact, I am down right ashamed over what I am discovering about myself.  How easily I become convinced I am being good enough.  How quickly I forget ALL fall short and my feet are made of clay.  This has been an eye opening and hopefully life changing read.  (By the way--the way this book ended up in my hands is a story unto itself---God REALLY works in mysterious ways!_



I am reading a chapter a day--to give myself time to digest after mulling it over.  Those pesky "D" words keep rearing their ugly heads.  Depression, doubt, delusion, denial, and the really convicting discontentment.  OUCH!  How easily I trot over to the road marked Discontentment.  It happens without me even giving it much thought.  Sometimes it even begins under the guise of self improvement.  The next thing I know I am sliding down the slippery slope



of discontent.  I find myself not satisfied with who I am, what I am, where I am, what I have, or any of a plethora of things I deem I should have, be, or lack.  GUILTY GUILTY GUILTY!

WHY am I not in tip top physical shape (besides the fact I am not working out enough)?  Why don't my children and grands live in close proximity to me (as in on the family compound)?  Why have I not written a best seller (ignoring the fact you must begin to write said best seller)?  Why does everyone else seem to have perfect lives (I really do know this is not the truth--but they give that illusion so convincingly)?  AND that really biggie---WHY don't I look like a super model?

OH-the book addresses it all and shot an arrow directly at my guilty heart.  In a nut shell---if God knitted me together in my mother's womb--am I saying he made a mistake with how I look?  AND---if I truly believe God is omnipotent and The One who has ordered my life---WHY would I question where I am, what I have, who I am or for that matter anything about my life?  IF God is truly who I claim Him to be--then as His Word tells us, all things are for His glory and our good.  PERIOD!

Well this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to respectable sins


AND we all know there is much more to an iceberg than the tip that is sticking out.  So it is with our respectable sins--there is an entire list we have decided to look past---for after all we haven't murdered anyone---YET.

HERE is what we quickly forget---sin is sin---PERIOD!  The Law is not a long laundry list of sins, but instead is addressed as a single item in The Word.  The Law encompasses it all!  Our fickle attempt at categorizing sin does not fly in God's eyes.

I am thankful for grace, but convicted I am free to be obedient to what God  has deemed is best for me.  My discontentment is a not so subtle denial of God's gracious provision in all areas of my life.  

Black and blue toes are not necessarily bad.  In this case they are a reminder of Who God is and how I relate and react to His Person.  I am convicted--and that is a good thing.  With conviction comes change.  Praise His faithful presence and provision.

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length
 you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me,
 but you had no opportunity.
 Not that I am speaking of being in need,
 for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound.
 In any and every circumstance,
 I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
 I can do all things through him who strengthens me
Philippians 4:10-13








10 comments

  1. Oh dear ... ... ... where do I start? And how can I be careful I don't lose you as a friend, Lulu, by what I say?

    My advice ... stop reading this book. It is making you more depressed and discontented than you should be. Yes, you are a sinner. So are we all. God knows that. Yes, you do not consider yourself perfect. None of us are, (except for me perhaps, but for the sake of argument I'll admit I am not perfect). God knows that too. Yes you are liable to be discontented, dissatisfied, and depressed. So do we all. God knows that too.

    But there is one thing you forgot. You are loved by God just as you are. Because He made you and there are no rejects from God's production line. Everyone is unique and perfect in his and her own way.

    God did not put us on this earth to go around looking at our failings, but to rejoice in our successes. What is good and positive within us comes from God so let us not obscure it by our own negativeness. Dwelling on our badness is itself a sin against God, because we are saying, in effect, that He has made a mistake when creating us. Let us accept our sins as a stepping stone towards once again renewing our friendship with God; by repenting genuinely, and accepting wholeheartedly His forgiveness and love.

    I hope I haven't lost you as a friend by what I said.

    God bless.

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    1. NEVER- I love to be challenged and given nuggets of wisdom by my friends, Victor. I am not depressed, but I am being challenged by the book to look at my daily life and if it is a reflection of God's place in my life. What I have not addressed yet is the author's reminder of what God has provided us to move us away from our sinful habits back into alignment with His plan for us. His Holy Spirit is our helper and guide. So thankful for His grace, but also I am not content to stay where I am, but desire to continue to grow in my relationship with Him. I want to acknowledge who He is at all times. I am always grateful for your comments as they cause me to think about the reason behind my thinking.
      Blessings, My Friend

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  2. Not sure how to react. I think I want to keep living in my “ivory tower” and be content with the verse God gave all of us...”I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. “ have a great day and throw those “D words” our the window. Happy Thanksgiving.

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    1. God is stepping on my toes and not yours, Vannie! My words are merely a reflection of how God is moving in my life. See my response to Victor above. Had a lovely visit from the one sporting a new hip yesterday. Was shocked he was out and about!
      Thanksgiving Blessings to you both, My Friends!

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  3. Oh oh onthe book.. I don't know Lulu, I agree with Victor. Thank you Lulu for the prayers and yes, praise God, my tumor is gone as is the rest of me. Lop.

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  4. Hello, this is my first time to visit and I enjoyed your message. Praise God for those He inspires to write these great books for our benefit.

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    1. Welcome, Mary! The book has convicted and challenged me and yes, I am thankful for the author!
      Blessings!

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  5. Bridges is an awesome writer, so I'm glad this has fallen into your hands (or your toes), Lulu. Yes, we all need reminders that we are not perfect, but we must remember that we are so loved in God's eyes. Being thankful in all things is definitely an antidote to any pity party we might feel tempted to indulge in.
    Blessings!

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    1. I read the chapter on thankfulness last night, Martha! HEALTHY reminder of WHO is the giver of ALL things in our life. For His glory and our good!
      Blessings!

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Your comments keep my writing and often cause me to think. A written form of a hug or a pat on the back and an occasional slap into reality---I treasure them all!