September 2022 Archives
Strengthen Your Feeble Knees
I am constantly reading through the Bible, but I like to use a different Bible version each time I read. I cycle back around to some of the same ones, but breaking it up helps to notice verses that are easy to read over when I have them memorized. The latest verse that jumped out at me is Hebrews 12:12-13. The New King James reads as follows:
Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
I’ve always read this to refer to others, that it is my job to help encourage those who are downtrodden. Reading the same verses in the NLT the other day gave these verses a whole new meaning:
So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet. Then those who follow you, though they are weak and lame, will not stumble and fall but will become strong.
How many people feel ill-equipped to help others because they are struggling themselves? I get there easily. That shouldn’t stop us from reaching out to others, however. I think it’s important for weaker Christians to realize that everyone struggles. I have looked at others at times and wanted to be like them because they seem so strong in their faith, and some do better than others at holding on to strength, but we don’t see the fears and insecurities that may lie underneath the surface. If you, like me, find yourself struggling more than you think you should after walking with God for so many years, don’t give up. Strengthen your tired hands and your shaky legs and keep trudging the straight and narrow path so that others can find it and easily follow. Who knows? Maybe someone will catch up to you and help to carry you a while as you catch your breath. Regardless, we owe it to those following us to find us faithful so they do not become weary and lose heart.
Navigating Relationships
Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. ~2 Timothy 3:12
I hate it when people judge my motives or don’t understand a situation which I am not at liberty to explain in full. It’s hard when others have an idea of how they think a Christian should respond to such a case and, in their view, I am not doing the “Christian” thing. I am honest about the areas that I know I struggle in, but I fight hard to honor God in the way that I interact with other people. It’s just that everything is not so cut and dry. Following are some things that I have wrestled with through the years that not everyone will agree with, but I hope they encourage someone who feels as though they have failed someone. You may have … but not necessarily.
1) A relationship requires two people to make it work, but it only takes one person to tear it down.
2) Truth is not always in the middle. Sometimes one person is straight out lying.
3) Despite popular opinion, forgiveness does not always mean reinstating a relationship. It is important to forgive. Definitely. But sometimes you have to release a person into God’s hands and realize that you cannot help him or her. You cannot be everyone’s savior, so it’s important to know who God has placed in your life and who He hasn’t.
4) Sometimes bad things really do happen to good people. OK. We all know that no one is really good, but you understand what I mean. God can and does discipline His children, but you cannot judge your relationship with God based on your circumstances. Evaluate it, sure, but if you are at peace in your walk, know that sometimes God allows things to happen that you will never understand this side of Heaven. This does not make Him less good than He has ever been. If anything, it is a time to draw closer to Him than ever before and allow Him to comfort you and help you to grow evermore in trusting Him.
Back to my opening statement: You can’t expect everyone to understand every decision that you make in life. Rumors may fly as people judge you more harshly than they should. It’s hard not to be hurt during those times. These are the seasons you find out who your friends really are, and it may be painful to realize you don’t have as many as you thought you did. Keep going to the Word. Pray for God’s guidance. If you are convinced that you are doing what God is asking of you, don’t look back. Keep clinging to His hand and let Him fight your battles. It’s human to want to fight back or justify yourself, but sometimes it’s best to not answer a fool according to his folly (Proverbs 26:4).
I wish you well as you learn from the Father the best way to navigate your sticky relationships.
