When Tension is a GIFT

Why do we do the things we know we shouldn’t do? And why don’t we do more of the things we know we should do? We get impatient waiting for dreams to come true and get frustrated when our hopes aren’t satisfied. We try to flee from suffering and cling to comfort zones. Few of us are strangers to these kinds of tension.

I used to lament the tugs-of-war so commonly experienced within my spirit. But my perspective is changing. I’m learning to appreciate that much of the tension within me is actually a gift — a privilege born out of a growing relationship with my Lord and Savior. Why can I say that? Consider these verses with me:

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:21-25 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:7-11 (NIV)

Don’t be intimidated in any way by your enemies. This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself. For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. We are in this struggle together. You have seen my struggle in the past, and you know that I am still in the midst of it. Philippians 1:28-30 (NLT)

In light of these truths, we can receive some encouragement:

· Recognition of our sin nature and that growing distaste we have for it is evidence of an aspiration toward holiness — and that’s a good thing! (Someone who is far from God does not aspire to Christ-likeness or care about his sin.)

· Confusion can cause us to search for Truth and clarity from God’s Word — and going to God’s Word is always a good thing!

· Inner tension can help change our perspective (which often needs changing).

· A troubled spirit can draw us closer to Jesus.

· The restlessness that comes from growing passions, dreams and vision can be God-given helping to motivate and mobilize us for new or broader ministry.

FATHER GOD, I am coming to realize that many of my inner tensions are evidence that I am Your child. There is freedom in knowing that these feelings are not always a bad thing. I want to praise You today for the privilege of drawing near to You when I am restless, frustrated, confused, or ashamed. I want to stay firmly rooted in my relationship with You despite the obstacles that will come my way. Help me to persevere, Lord. Thank you for the holy discontentment that keeps me from being apathetic about sin. Help me to turn away from temptation and offer my body as a living sacrifice to You. Thank you for stirring God-given dreams in me. Help me to be patient and persistent, always yielded to you. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, please energize me for things that please You, precious Lord. AMEN

It's Marriage Prayer Friday!

Sometimes, married people find themselves "unequally yoked" with a spouse whose faith is young, stagnant or even non-existent. It can be a painful and painstaking journey to be united in life and body with someone who doesn't share your heart about God. Today's prayer is for those facing discouragement in this area — those longing for partnership or leadership in faith. Our prayer is based on Ephesians 3:14-21.

Something to pray for your marriage—

HEAVENLY FATHER, I come before you today on behalf of my spouse asking for you to strengthen him/her and our marriage partnership in relation to You. My husband/wife is struggling to see You (or may not even want You). Please soften and strengthen my husband/wife with the power of Your Spirit in his/her inner being so that Christ dwells in his/her heart through growing faith. Help him/her to be rooted in love — to grasp how wide, long, high and deep Your love is. Please purify my own motives in asking you for these things, Lord, because I want my spouse to know Your love that surpasses knowledge. Most of all, I want each of us to be entirely filled up by You and satisfied in You. God, I know that you are able to do even more than I could ask or imagine according to Your power at work in us. So please do a mighty work in my marriage for the glory of Your church and cause the impact of what you do here to affect future generations of my family for ever and ever.

AMEN

Something to pray for a friend's marriage—

HEAVENLY FATHER, I come before you today on behalf of my married friends asking that you strengthen them in their marriage partnerships in relation to You. Some of my friends are married to someone who is struggling to see You (or maybe even to want You). Please soften and strengthen these doubting friends with the power of Your Spirit in their inner beings so that Christ dwells in their hearts through growing faith. Help these men and/or women to be rooted in love — to grasp how wide, long, high and deep Your love is. I want each of my friends to know Your love that surpasses knowledge. Most of all, I want each of them to be entirely filled up by You and satisfied in You. God, I know that you are able to do even more than I could ask or imagine according to Your power at work in us. So please do a mighty work in these marriages on my heart today for the glory of Your church. Cause the impact of what you do in these marriages to affect future generations and families for ever and ever.

AMEN

FINDING GLORY Wednesday

Having hope is not always a reasonable thing. When a diagnosis, finances, relationships, or other circumstances are troubling and unchanging, we can struggle with doubt, confusion, denial, anger and even indifference. But God would want us to keep looking to Him with hope and anticipation — knowing that His compassion and power work for our good and His glory. He does not want us to give up on Him.

Let’s seek God together through this scripture and discussion question today:

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

There is an enemy at work battling for your thoughts, attitudes, beliefs and understanding of God’s will. According to this passage, what does your spiritual weaponry look like?

What are some practical ways you demolish obstacles that come up against your hope, joy and peace in Christ?

These “Finding Glory Wednesdays” posts are an online discussion series based on the books Finding Glory in the Thorns and the companion Finding Glory in the Thorns: Group Discussion Guide by Larry and Lisa Jamieson. For more information about Finding Glory Groups, visit http://www.findingglory.com/findingglorygrou.html.