Meet You at the Intersection of Experience and Honesty
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Sometimes things happen that force us to face weaknesses in ourselves that in fact the Lord desires to massage His love into. Initially however, we don’t always see it that way and figuring that out can be messy and take time. God’s okay with that.
Do you sometimes get mad at God? Yourself? Others?
Facing my brother’s and Dad’s death’s in 2006, only six and a half weeks apart, plunged me into the deepest anguish, grief and anger I have experienced. I felt shame as the journey uncovered crusty parts of my soul exposing contempt for God, myself and it felt like every other human being on the planet. This lurked behind an image management that appeared most honorable, sincere and dutiful by intention. As the truth of pain and loss hit me deep in my core, I struggled, but God’s requirements to be open and honest propelled me forward and upward.
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How does one confront the unfriendly parts of one’s soul?
Does one see reality of one’s darkness as it really is? Or does one minimize, distort or spiritualize it? Honesty requires a refusal to lie, steal or mislead in any way. It often begins by recognizing and admitting we may have been deceived.
Why must we recognize our sin and confess it as truth? Because dishonesty, or living in denial, is actually an attempt to dethrone God! It represents self-sufficiency. Self-sufficiency constructs a world according to our own desire. By engaging in it we shut out God and others. That is idolatry.
Through courage, humility and brokenness we can pursue honesty about our true condition and find peace, hope and love. The Lord says:
“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth” (Psalm 148:18).
Our loving God invites us to meet Him at the intersection of experience and honesty. We find resolve there. My Dad and brother know that in full. You and i continue in our discovery. God’s love is sincere in action, character and utterance. He transforms us into the same. His truth can satisfy any soul, whatever the condition, if we believe and receive.
Father God, I thank You that You pursue my soul and draw me on in facing truth and finding You in it. Help me as I confront the unfriendly parts of my own soul. Meet me and pour Your peace and hope and love into me afresh as I pursue honesty in the inner part of my heart. Thank you Lord, for Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Questions: What is forcing you to face truth? Do you resist or do you welcome the Lord’s presence in every corner of your life? Do you see reality as it really is? Or do you minimize, distort or spiritualize it?
About this Author: Karen Braun
