Melanie Chitwood
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
I had resolved the previous week to be consistent in exercise and healthy eating. I had made this resolution many times before, only to revert to old patterns before the week’s end.
As I sat outside on the porch with my Bible and journal, I felt discouraged as I remembered the previous night’s overindulgence in, once again, my favorite chocolate chip cookies.
I wanted to have a quiet time, I wanted to talk to God in prayer and to read Scripture, but I felt somewhat ashamed. I thought to myself, Here I am again, Lord, with the same old problem. Aren’t you tired of me, Lord? I’m tired of me, so surely you must be, too. I’m tired of dealing with the same old problem over and over again.
Then God whispered to me, Talk to Me. Just pray and see what I can do. So I did. In the quietness of the morning, God reminded me of His thoughts toward me, not my own thoughts. God never gets tired of us, and His compassions are new every morning. As the verses in Hebrews 4 remind us, God understands. What comfort.
Better yet, as we look at today’s key verse we’re invited to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” Sometimes when I feel ashamed of myself, I am tempted to run from God rather than come humbly to His feet. I’m tempted to believe the lie that God is tired of me or has much more important issues to deal with. However, if I believe and act on these lies, I am missing out on the truth of whom God is and the reality of the kind of relationship He wants to have.
If I mistakenly believe that God is just tired of dealing with me, then I go away with just more of the same - more discouragement, more anxiety, more fretting. Worse yet, I’ll be missing out on what He is ready to give. I’ll miss out on His love, His grace, and His power.
Whatever problem we face, God’s very own power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead, is available to us. Our God is intimately acquainted with us, gracious and patient. He is ready to give all His resources to us, His children. Isn’t that amazing?
Let’s press on in truth and faith and “take the mercy, accept the help” (Hebrews 4:16 The Message). Then we’ll see what God can do with a heart that trusts Him.
Dear Lord, help me not to run from You when I feel ashamed or discouraged. Help me to believe that You always love me and are always ready to give me Your Help. Thank You for Your patience and Your lovingkindness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Listen to Today’s Radio Show
Application Steps:
Sometimes we don’t turn to God because of independence or self-reliance. Take some practical steps to stay dependent on God. For example, resolve to pray about the situation each time you think about it. Ask a friend to hold you accountable. Memorize a verse that will help you apply God’s truth to your situation. Take one small step each day to remedy the problem.
Reflections:
Are you facing a recurring problem or challenge, which leaves you discouraged? Have you actually asked God for His help, or have you just been thinking about the problem?
Have you been running away from God?
Have you been still before God lately?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:1, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (NLT)
Ephesians 1:18-19, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.” (NIV).
Hebrews 6:1, “So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ.” (MSG).
“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
I had resolved the previous week to be consistent in exercise and healthy eating. I had made this resolution many times before, only to revert to old patterns before the week’s end.
As I sat outside on the porch with my Bible and journal, I felt discouraged as I remembered the previous night’s overindulgence in, once again, my favorite chocolate chip cookies.
I wanted to have a quiet time, I wanted to talk to God in prayer and to read Scripture, but I felt somewhat ashamed. I thought to myself, Here I am again, Lord, with the same old problem. Aren’t you tired of me, Lord? I’m tired of me, so surely you must be, too. I’m tired of dealing with the same old problem over and over again.
Then God whispered to me, Talk to Me. Just pray and see what I can do. So I did. In the quietness of the morning, God reminded me of His thoughts toward me, not my own thoughts. God never gets tired of us, and His compassions are new every morning. As the verses in Hebrews 4 remind us, God understands. What comfort.
Better yet, as we look at today’s key verse we’re invited to “come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.” Sometimes when I feel ashamed of myself, I am tempted to run from God rather than come humbly to His feet. I’m tempted to believe the lie that God is tired of me or has much more important issues to deal with. However, if I believe and act on these lies, I am missing out on the truth of whom God is and the reality of the kind of relationship He wants to have.
If I mistakenly believe that God is just tired of dealing with me, then I go away with just more of the same - more discouragement, more anxiety, more fretting. Worse yet, I’ll be missing out on what He is ready to give. I’ll miss out on His love, His grace, and His power.
Whatever problem we face, God’s very own power, the same power that raised Christ from the dead, is available to us. Our God is intimately acquainted with us, gracious and patient. He is ready to give all His resources to us, His children. Isn’t that amazing?
Let’s press on in truth and faith and “take the mercy, accept the help” (Hebrews 4:16 The Message). Then we’ll see what God can do with a heart that trusts Him.
Dear Lord, help me not to run from You when I feel ashamed or discouraged. Help me to believe that You always love me and are always ready to give me Your Help. Thank You for Your patience and Your lovingkindness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do you know Him?
What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood
Listen to Today’s Radio Show
Application Steps:
Sometimes we don’t turn to God because of independence or self-reliance. Take some practical steps to stay dependent on God. For example, resolve to pray about the situation each time you think about it. Ask a friend to hold you accountable. Memorize a verse that will help you apply God’s truth to your situation. Take one small step each day to remedy the problem.
Reflections:
Are you facing a recurring problem or challenge, which leaves you discouraged? Have you actually asked God for His help, or have you just been thinking about the problem?
Have you been running away from God?
Have you been still before God lately?
Power Verses:
Galatians 5:1, “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” (NLT)
Ephesians 1:18-19, “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength.” (NIV).
Hebrews 6:1, “So come on, let's leave the preschool fingerpainting exercises on Christ and get on with the grand work of art. Grow up in Christ.” (MSG).
Labels: Balance, Contentment, God's Perspective, Overcoming
12 Comments:
Mel, I read this today as I listened to David Crowder sing "Deliver Me"
Beautiful combo.
Thanks.
MB
MELANIE, I READ THIS AND THEN FORWARDED TO ALL MY GOOD FRIENDS....THANKS FOR YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT.....PATSY
you always know what to say at the right time someone needs to hear it, that was me this time-God speaking through you to me. Thank you!
Lisa
I've been away for a while and "Here I am again, Lord" fits exactly with what I'm dealing with today...procrastination, eating issues, laziness. I truly appreciate the encouraging words. Thank you for still being here.
Do you know what I like, Melanie? God doesn't look at us through the grid of "again." Since our slate is wiped clean each time He sees each repeated offense as a first time offense. It no longer has to be "here I am again"...now it can just be "here I am". He loves it when we show up!
I really honestly thought I was the only person in the whole world that felt this way! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. God Bless You.
thank you for the reminder that God does not get tired of us that he loves it when we come to him and that he thinks of us diffrently than we think of ourselves. hallelujah!
I also felt like I was the only one that went thru this, I feel so much better knowing I am just human and I forgot my slate is wiped clean each time I just go befor God and ask for forgiveness. I sometimes forget how deep his love is fpr me. Thank you Debbie
Thank you for this post. I have been feeling like this for some time now. It's easy to believe the lies - the ones that tell you God is tired of you and the ones that tell you that you are the only one who feels like this. "Stained Glass Masquerade" by Casting Crowns and "Free" by Switchfoot tell us differently. If no one else felt this way, these songs wouldn't exist. I'm reminded of Elijah - who performed a great miracle on Mt. Carmel and then ran away whining to God that he was the only one left. Just as God reminded Elijah that he wasn't the only one, this week He spoke to me during a really honest prayer time and directed me to Psalm 103. I thought it was probably some chastisement for all the things I've done wrong lately, but I promised to read it anyway. It was about halfway through my morning before I had the time to grab my Bible and read. I won't ruin it for you - if you're not familiar with this passage, read it today. God does care. Thanks so much for this post.
Beautiful words Mel... it just drips of Him. Thank you for your honesty. How important it is to first recognize the lies, and then replace them with the truth, over and over again. Thanks for the reminder of His power and how he welcomes us every time. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Melanie, Not sure how you knew that was the inpiration I needed speciafically today. Thank you for that blessing to start my day.
Mischelle
This is what I needed to read. I know that God loves me, but I have this hollow feeling inside and even though I am praying, pleading at times I cannot hear Him . I keep hanging on and there is so much turmoil in my life and so much responsibility that rests on my shoulders. So instead of asking for I am asking Him to show me what He wants me to do...I am here waiting ..
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