« FOLLOW-UP: What Dan Said to the Guy in the T-Shirt | Main | Getting the Call of the Church Backwards »
Monday, January 23, 2006
Do You Struggle With a Poor Self-Image?
Do you, as a church pastor, or church leader, struggle with a poor self image?
I've heard from a good amount of pastors over the years that have said they are just about ready to give it all up; and many times it's because they feel they just don't have what it takes. Monday mornings are especially tough for this person because they are constantly asking themselves, "Why am I doing this"? "I'm in over my head." "There's no way I can continue this job". The stress and pressure is overwhelming.
Charles Stanley has some great words of encouragement and strength for you this morning. Charles writes:
In 1 Corinthians, Paul sets the model for self-image when he humbly states, "I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am" (15:9-10). On one hand, Paul realizes that he is a sinner, but, at the same time, he understands that the grace of God makes him a new creation-forgiven and in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ.
The question is-what are the characteristics of a positive self-image? A person with a positive view of himself is aware of his strengths and weaknesses, is open and honest, can say "I love you" without hesitation, can voice his opinion without fear of criticism or retaliation. Most importantly, though, he accepts himself-scars, blemishes, and all-because God first accepted him. (1 John 4:19)
On the other hand, someone with a negative self-image doesn't trust himself or others, questions his ability, suffers from a "persecution complex" (i.e., "Everyone is out to get me!"), is scared to open up, always wears a "mask"-so as not to let others in on his flaws-and usually feels as though God determines his worth by how much good he accomplishes, resulting in a "workaholic" mentality.
Now that we know the different outward displays of self-image, both good and bad, what are some of the reasons for having an unhealthy view of ourselves?
First on the list is, of course, sin. Many times, sin causes us to fall into a guilt trap. We look at our flaws and we ask, "How can God help me with this sin in my life?" Guilt begins a process of self-deterioration that will slowly wear on your mind over a long period of time.
Another reason for a negative self-image is the "overachievement trap." The person with this mindset believes that he must prove his worth to God through works. In order to feel worthy to God, he believes he needs to accomplish something "great." If, and when, he reaches that milestone, he sets the bar higher and higher until he eventually burns out.
Our unwillingness to accept criticism also hinders our ability to move toward a positive self-image. A man with a godly view of himself decides whose approval he wants-God's or the world's. From there he chooses to live for the Lord and the issue is settled. As long as we live, there will always be someone who criticizes us. We simply cannot be everything to everybody. (1 Corinthians 9:22)
Finally, one of the most harmful causes of a poor self-image is an erroneous view of Scripture. In Philippians 2, Paul's call of "death to self" doesn't mean that we are to no longer value or have worth within ourselves. Many times, this Scripture passage can be distorted, causing some Christians to view themselves as worthless.
Philippians 2 simply calls for us to view ourselves from God's point of view. Paul is asking us, as believers, not to use others as a stepping-stone for our own personal gain, while, also, striving to humble ourselves to the point that Christ humbled Himself. This is just one small example of how Scripture can be erroneously interpreted, resulting in a poor self-image.
So how do we develop a positive view of ourselves and leave behind all the extra baggage that weighs us down? Here are a few biblical pointers for overcoming a negative self-image:
--Salvation: Obviously, it all starts with accepting the forgiveness Jesus provided at the cross. Without this, we'll never view ourselves correctly because, from an eternal standpoint, we have nothing without Christ. (Ephesians 1:7)
--Saturate Yourself With Scripture: The more you read God's Word with purpose, the more you will fill your mind with God's attitude toward you-unconditional love, forgiveness, and acceptance. (Matthew 6:5-6)
--Secure Forgiveness: Ask the Lord for forgiveness for certain sins that have harbored within your soul. (John 3:16)
--Stop Bartering With God: Don't attempt to trade good works for God's approval. The truth is, you can't do anything to make Him love you any more or any less. Regardless of what you may have done, God can't love you any more than He already does-His love for you is already perfect. (Galatians 3:13-14)
--Share yourself: The man who is the happiest walks with his heart wide open. Allow others into your life; share your thoughts and feelings with those around you. (Proverbs 20:7)
--Stop Thinking About The Past: Focus on what God is doing in your life today, rather than your failures from yesterday. Live in the present, and let God guide you as you walk into the future. (Isaiah 65:17)
Until you develop a good self-image, you'll never realize the plans the Lord has for your life. If you've been struggling with this issue, if you find yourself in a persistent haze of criticism and negativity, take this month's article to heart and ask God to help release you from the burden of an unhealthy self-image.
For Discussion: Anyone here struggle with a problem of poor self-image? What have you done to help remedy your situation?
Add Your Comments and Ideas now...Pass this post on to a friend now...
Subscribe to RSS Feed | Get Email Notifications on New Posts
January 23, 2006 in Leadership Issues | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451dafb69e200d8346e4a1653ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Do You Struggle With a Poor Self-Image?:
Comments
I think it's a little sad that, so far at 10am on Monday, this is the only post that no one has commented on. I wonder if it's because so many of us DO have a poor self-image and that is SO hard to deal with.]
I'm a musician, artist, and pastor all at the same time. The musician/artist part of me tends to survive by thinking I'm great and wonderful, and then if I play a wrong note or make a really bad transition I start to feel like I'm dirt. (Artists have extremes, sometimes it seems like we ONLY have extremes). Pastors have it worse, because we can feel like we vicariously fail through every one of our flock who fail in any way. And we feel even WORSE if we do something stupid... a careless remark, an ill-timed correction, whatever...
I like Stanley's advice here. I think it's pretty good. I think one thing that is mising from his list (although he ALWAYS stresses it, so it's not like he's REALLY missed it...) is a life saturated with prayer. It's 10am. Pastors... why haven't you spent an hour in prayer with the one you really work for yet? Stop reading this blog and do that... RIGHT NOW! (Unless you already did...) Maybe you just need to find a quiet space and be quiet with the One who loved you enough to die for you, and lets you be such a big part of building His kingdom.
Posted by: Peter Hamm | Jan 23, 2006 10:06:57 AM
Without exaggerating, I believe insecurity is the #1 problem in pastoral ministry, and the #1 reason the church has lost so much of its influence in the world. Insecure pastors tend to major in extremes - either becoming passive leaders or abusive leaders.
An unhealthy self-image is a form of pride, and is every bit as sinful. When we focus only on our frailty, we adopt a view of ourself that leaves God out of the picture. Of course we're frail, inadequate, and don't have the tools, time, resources, or abilities to do what we want on our own. But greater is He that is in me than He who is in the world.
When we focus on ourselves and our frailties, we're only halfway down the road. God has gifted each of us, and placed us where He wants us in order for us to be effective. If we fail to capitalize on that because we're too focused on ourselves (either positively or negatively) we're in reality saying something about God and His power through us.
Posted by: Chris | Jan 23, 2006 10:22:32 AM
I spent 25+ years in the corporate world before entering the pastorate. Three successful business ventures and success in corporate sales and marketing. I have a great self image. But every morning when I arive at the church I realize that "I'm in over my head and I can't do this." That is because "I" can't do this, only God can. I don't ever want to get to the point where I begin to believe that I am in control.
Posted by: Bart | Jan 23, 2006 10:40:45 AM
Here is a thought. If you mix a poor self image with a church congregation, who is always making demands on you and your time, you end of with an overwhelming feeling. it's ok to say that we are inadequate but how often does are congration want to hear that. I am not blaming the church for a poor self-image but we do work with lost sinners who claim to have salvation and can be doing the work of the devil and ruin your ministry.
Posted by: frankie | Jan 23, 2006 10:55:55 AM
And here's another thought... What happens when someome has had positive self-image but gets blind-sided by a supervisor or a group that is powerful enough to work their will on an unsuspecting servant? Everything that I read in Stanley's remarks makes it appear that an unhealthy self-image is purely a personal matter, but we all know that experiences and circumstances have the capacity to cause wounds that may take some substantial time to heal. Sure, you could blame the poor person who wasn't looking out very well for himself, but isn't trust the basis for true community?
Healthy self-image is not just a personal task; it too is a community responsibilty. Look at Paul's comments about loneliness in a Roman prison and you get a glimpse of genuine pain there. It's easy for those who are in stable circumstances to attribute poor self-image to personal failure or feelings of inadequacy, but I've been on both sides of this experience and can tell you that the Body of Christ could handle its wounded with a little more grace and a bit less of self-help instructions.
Posted by: Dean | Jan 23, 2006 12:24:06 PM
Great description of what happens too often. I have spent 20 years ministering all over the world and that is exactly what I have seen way to many times. If we just preach long enough, hard enough, have enough classes, do enough teaching...but then frustration sets in because we just can't seem to find "enough" committed people. And we spend all our time trying to "fix" people, instead of loving them and believing that God is the one that has to handle the rest. We can never be or do for people, what only God can be or do. That's why Jesus always told the crowds stories and shared the details or the "why" and "how" with the diciples. A person has to come to a place that they believe God Loves them enough that doing it His way, will always produce the best for them. I know that has always been my Pastors focus: and we have seen over 350 people either dedicate or recommit their lives to Jesus, during the month of January.
Great insight in your article, Thanks.
Posted by: Preston | Jan 23, 2006 1:32:43 PM
I can relate too well the the article and the comments. In the past I have had to have self-talk sessions to convince myself that I'm not as bad as I feel others think I am and that I have had successes. I still resort to that occasionally but more and more I am trying to "serve an audience of one" and realize it is God I must please, that this life is short, and what I desire most is to hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant."
Another thing that has been a frustration in this areana is that since (it seems) most pastors have a poor self-image (even those or especially those who act as if they have it all together) it has been virtually impossible to develop pastor friends who understand the frustrations and who are able to encourage. And woe unto the one who expresses a weakness or failure. We may lift them up in prayer but inside we're saying "Loser!" Instead we are constantly vying with each other to be seen as successful.
Finally, our people and denominational leadership have set a standard that if one isn't leading their church to be a mega-church in a few short years than that leader is failing. God said He would grow the church, we are to build relationships, tell others of Jesus Christ, and let God build what GOd wants to build.
Posted by: Wes | Jan 23, 2006 2:07:14 PM
"What happens when someome has had positive self-image but gets blind-sided by a supervisor or a group that is powerful enough to work their will on an unsuspecting servant?"
Dean, your image of who God has created you to be should govern the way you view those situations. When difficult situations in ministry govern the way you view yourself as created by God, I believe the perspective is wrong.
The entirety of our ministry should be to point others toward an eternal perspective. There is more to life than this life. God has created us for more.
The challenge is, we as pastors tend to have a hard time buying into the things we're saying from the pulpit. We want people to live their lives with eternity in mind, but we have a difficult time doing it in the church office on Monday.
Our lives and ministry have to be firmly rooted on the perspective of a sovereign God who loves us despite us, and Who is our source of strength in time of need. But through those times of need, the focus is on the source of strength, not the need itself.
Posted by: chris | Jan 23, 2006 3:25:01 PM
Thanks, Chris. I agree with where you are pointing and that has been key to many who found themselves coming through such dark valleys. Such a change of perception isn't something we do but the result of Whom we ultimately trust.
Posted by: Dean | Jan 23, 2006 5:59:32 PM
I use to struggle with this for several years until after I left home and I divorced my ex-wife.
I thank God that I was raised in a Christian home. But my family was always very critical of me, except for my mom (at times) and my grandmother. The later of them has always believed in me and has encouraged me.
Growing up at home our mom shoved the bible down our throat's until we got sick of it. Everything we did was a sin. We walked around on eggshells thinking God was a TYRANT IN HEAVEN WITH A CLIPBOARD CHECKING OFF HOW BAD WE WERE, AND HOW HE WAS GOING TO PUNISH US.
My dad always called me dumb,stupid, good for nothing, and that I wouldn't amount to a hill of beans. Then from the time I was 13 until I was 21 when I joined the army. I heard bug eyes, stupid, dummy, frog eyes, retard, and other names.
Once I was in the army it built up my self confidence. Until I met and married my ex-wife. She committed adultery the 5yrs. we were married, she beat on me, stab me with knives, pencils or anything she could get her hands on.
I began drinking heavy, because it seemed no one cared and neither did I. So I tried to get rid of myself.
Then I met Jesus on October 1996 and I began to learn he is the only one I have to please anyway. He has always loves me, accepts me just as I am, he believes in me, and he is all I need.
I am confident in Christ. So it does not matter what others think or say. The only thing I have do is keep on keeping on. I don't have time to worry about people think or what they say....
I am confident in myself. Why? Because Christ who lives in me has shown me who I am, and what I can do. I can do it because I believe in myself first of all.
Example: I just started my own cleaning business 4 months ago. There are those around me, mostly family who say that it will not go any where, and not to give up my job working with the state. In the past 4 months, the Lord has generated enough business for me to bring in over $6200.
Thursday is my last day for my state job. Two weeks ago when I resigned my job. The Lord has opened the doors for two full contracts to clean business' for the entire year. He has continued to open even more doors with small business loans.
Things are a little shaky starting out, but I am believing good for Big things. The way I see set boy's and ladies. He has freed me from Egypt and I am not looking back. Pharaoh has been destroyed, the Red Sea is parted and dry, and there is no stopping US now.
Just you all be looking out for a franchised Janitorial Cleaning Business Called TRINITY JANITORIAL SERVICES in your town one day..
Posted by: Clairvoyent 1 | Jan 23, 2006 7:09:16 PM
Since we've spoken privately CV I've prayed for the Lord to strengthen you in the Faith, Truth and Love of God.
He Who Began a good work in you is Faithful to complete it!
Rely on His Sovereignty and Providence friend.
Posted by: BeHim | Jan 23, 2006 7:18:13 PM
BeHim,
Thank you...
I am just setting back letting him have full control and enjoying the ride. The way I use to enjoy bull riding and sail boating.. Man this fun...
Posted by: Clairvoyent 1 | Jan 23, 2006 8:33:03 PM
I'd like to recommend a resource that has been helpful to me in regards to low self-esteem. "The Search for Significance" workbook by Robert S.McGee is a wonderful resource for private study or, ideally, a support group. I have been through this study myself, facilitated a small group, and still refer to it for my personal understanding of how God's Truths can replace the false beliefs I sometimes have.
Posted by: John | Jan 30, 2006 10:31:10 AM
After struggeling with this issue for most of my life i developed and tool that has helped me and has helped man others. I hope it will be of help to those who read it here. It is built directly off of the Scriptres and I list it below.
Self Image According to the Scriptures
1. According to Romans 1:21,22 and Ephesians 4:17,18 (printed below) what is true of the thought patterns of those who do not personally know the Lord or do not take His truth intoaccount?
Romans 1:21,22, “ For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools”
Ephesians 4:17,18, “ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.”
We don’t see as God sees, we don’t see clearly, our self-centeredness has darkened our hearts and our understanding.
How does this relate to the ways in which we see ourselves?
We can return to this old pattern of darkened thinking and not see the truth about ourselves.
2. According to Romans 6:6, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:20-24 and Colossians 3:9,10, (all printed below) how should we see ourselves if we are Christians?
Romans 6:6, For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin”
2 Corinthians 5:17, “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Ephesians 4:20-24, “ You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Colossians 3:9,10, “ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”
We have been made completely new in Jesus Christ. God gives us a new life and a new beginning. When we come to Jesus and ask Him to be our Lord and Savior, a real spiritual transaction takes place in our lives that has a deep and profound impact on our lives, and this has daily and eternal implications. All of this must appropriated by faith.
3. In order to see ourselves in the proper way what must we do according to Romans 12:1,2(Printed below)?
Romans 12:1,2, “ Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We must have our minds renewed, we must put ourselves in God’s hands and fill our minds with God’s Word, which is His truth about us, so that we can replace the error that is in our minds and so that God and His Word can be the standard and the measure for/in our lives. We must learn to think God’s thought after Him.
4. What do the following passages tell us that will enable us to see ourselves as the Lord says that we should?
Jeremiah 31:3, ““I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness.”
John 3:16-17, ““For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Know that God loves us unconditionally, far more than we could ever love ourselves and He will only do what is best for us.
Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”
All men and women are created in the image of God. This image is not tied to any variable but rather it refers to what a man or woman IS rather than what he or she has or does.
Rom 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Rom 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
We must come to grips with the truth about ourselves. That we are sinners who have fallen short of God’s standard and who deserve death. It is this sin that pollutes and corrupts our thinking.
John 1:12, “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God”
John 10:10, Jesus said “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John 14:6, “6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
We must accept God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It is only through Jesus that we can receive life in its fullness as God’s children for this is God’s only method and plan.
Rom 6:1-4, 11-13, “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. . . In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”
We must understand that if we have received Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior then God has already included us in Christ. Therefore what happened to Jesus, in the eyes of God, has happened to us. Our identity as Christians is completely wrapped up in Jesus Christ. We are genuinely new in Jesus Christ.
Psalm 139:16, “ God Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
God prescribed us from birth. He is the Sovereign Lord of all.
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Philippians 1:6, “ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
We are God’s unique masterpiece and God is still working on us. He is not finished with us yet. We need to thank God for who we are thus far, and we need to surrender to God so He can continue to do His ‘artwork’ in our lives.
2 Corinthians 12:7-9, “ To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”
Differences and unique aspects in our lives are often God’s special frame to hi-light His unique message through us. God often works and manifests His power in our weakness.
Isaiah 53:2, “ He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.”
1 Peter 2:4-7, “ As you come to him, the living Stone -- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him -- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"”
Outward ‘beauty’ is not necessarily related to inward joy, happiness or fulfillment. Jesus was not seen as “beautiful” or “successful” by outward standards.
1 Samuel 16:7, “ But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."”
God’s ideal is an inward ideal, it is the character of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
Galatians 6:17,” Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”
If necessary, outward appearance and circumstances will be ‘sacrificed’ to produce inward character and wisdom.
2 Corinthians 10:12, “ We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.”
John 21:22-22, “When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.””
Don’t compare, this is often the source of inferiority. Physical appearance, parentage, abilities, social heritage, possessions, position, none of these give true worth or value, that is because true worth and value can only come from God.
John 1:12, 13, “ Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God -- children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.”
John 3:16, “"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Romans 5:1, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
God loves us, He wants to make us His children. That means that He wants us to bear family resemblance (to look more and more like Him in our character). He wants to bring us into a living relationship with Himself, give us a new quality of life, eternal life.
2 Corinthians 3:2,3 “ You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
1 Thessalonians 2:19,20, “ For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.”
True self-worth and self-esteem is produced as we let God reproduce the character of Jesus Christ in ourselves and as we serve others.
James 3:2, “ We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”
1 John 5:4, “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God .”
Self-esteem and self-worth does not come from our perfection, rather it comes through living by faith and through believing and obeying God. That is because we can only experience God’s perspective as we apply Biblical faith to our daily situation.
Philippians 4:6-8, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.”
Colossians 3:2, “ Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
We need to honest with God and allow Him to focus our lives on Jesus and so focus on the positive, on God and His word and His works. We also need to regularly communicate with God in prayer.
James 1:2-8, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
God uses rough times in life to purify and polish us so that we are better able to reflect the character of Jesus Christ and so we can better help others.
Psalm 23:1-3, “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name's sake.”
God’s work and reputation are at stake in His children (His sheep).
In Christ and to the glory of God,
Denis
Posted by: Denis | Feb 12, 2006 8:32:43 PM
