One of my pet peeves has been how we as Christians make excuses for ourselves.
- I don’t feel good.
- I’m under a lot of stress.
- I’ve been hurt real bad.
- I’m tired.
Yes. We feel pain. We have struggles. And, we shouldn’t deny the reality of how we feel and what we have experienced. BUT, does that give us the right to lash out at others or make life miserable for the people around us?
As I read Scripture, like the following, I find no loopholes.
And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. (2 Tim. 2:24)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. (Phil. 4:4-5)
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Eph. 4:2)
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rather rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Somehow we think we are the exception, that our situation is different. Scripture, however, makes no distinctions. We are to Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts.
King David of the Old Testament was no stranger to suffering. Read through the Psalms and you will notice his candor in talking about his feelings. Then it would be like as though he would catch himself and say “Why so downcast , O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Ps. 42:11). He had a keen awareness of what God has to offer to those who hurt.
David penned the words, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me” (Ps. 23:4). The entire Psalm 23 forms the basis for the devotional Bible study guide I wrote titled, Walk the Walk Even When It Hurts. Now available as a download as well as in book format, it’s objective is to present a realistic view of our struggles yet encourage us to rise above.
