I just read an article over at in(courage)me and it hit the nail on the head concerning something I have been trying to put into words for several years now. I have seen this phenomenon over and over and I have fallen prey to it myself more times than I care to admit. I've seen really good people stuck in a rut a long while because of it and it has such a hold on them they cannot see through the trees to let it go......
Lysa Terkuerst calls it "the rut of want" in her article on trying to understand and stand strong when opportunities appear to be knocking but God says "No". When this is accompanied by seeing others get exactly what you want (maybe with less less effort, less graciousness, less thankfulness, etc.). Sometimes it is so hard to see through the pain, disappointment, discouragement, and even rejection to be able to see the necessary character it is building within. We just want what we want sometimes to the point of obsession.......and that is when it gets dangerous.
What does the Bible say over and over developing perseverance, staying the course, developing faithfulness and patience...the proving of our trials will produce? The victor's crown of life, character, success, wisdom, and so on.....The books of Peter, James and Proverbs explain it loud and clear, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
I love Lysa's quote. It made me stop and think for sure:
Nothing kills patience like being solely focused on the object of your desire. And tragically, impatience becomes the breeding ground for compromise.
And so what IS the object of our desire. We all know it should be Jesus but what have we replaced it with? A house? an SUV? a job? weight loss? an achievement? recognition? a baby? new clothes? a designer purse, sunglasses, or shoes? And how do we compromise our character? By going into debt, cheating, creating an image, manipulating others, fad dieting, pressing our spouse until they give in and give us what we want...maybe spreading a rumor, stealing, maybe pushing someone else out of the way so we can have our own moment in the sun. In the end, it's all compromise. The bible tells us to simply "trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.....". Jesus said, 'Trust the Lord and do good...". Proverbs and Psalms tell us repeatedly It's so easy to try to make things happen on our own when we feel God isn't working fast enough. It's so hard to trust in His promises when we are that focused on our wants. Lysa shares a story of her young daughter impatiently waiting for a cake to bake and, of course, removing it from the oven before it is fully done. Here is her summary:The cake couldn’t withstand the pressure of an undone center… and neither can we.
If we obsess over the cake and make it our whole focus, character atrophies. If we make growing in godliness our obsession and keep our focus on God, our character matures. And a mature character makes for a solid and well done center.
I thank God everyday for the no’s He’s graciously allowed and continues to allow in my life. I used to pray, “God, let me, let me, let me!”
I now pray, “God, please never let my success outgrow the character necessary to handle it.”There was a time when what others thought of me was so important I created a cover image over my whole life, a smokescreen. Certain achievements were thought to create certain material rewards and when they didn't, I worked tirelessly to make thing s look as though they did.We all did -- now how silly is that? The pressure it creates is unbearable. I've witnessed first hand numerous people, good Christian warriors, men and women of God, compromise their character just for a little recognition or to impress others with their so-called success. Unfortunately, when we are impatient, in this case, unwilling to persevere until true success comes on God's timing and in His way, we not only hurt ourselves, but we drag others down with us.
I promise you, my friend, if you will step back a bit and really look at the situation from the perspective of truth, not based on perceptions or selfish wants, and ask God to help you see, He will open your eyes and lead you on the paths of righteousness and peace (Proverbs 3). And, if you persevere, continuing to keep your eyes on Him as the prize instead of the idol in your life, you'll find all you are looking for and more besides.
Here are a few power verses to help you win your battle:
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving
God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly,
without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given
him. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under
trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood
the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s]
crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:3-5, 12 AMP)
So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. (2 Peter 1:5, 7-9 MSG)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame. (Proverbs 3:5, 6, 13-18, 35 NIV)
Lysa Terkuerst calls it "the rut of want" in her article on trying to understand and stand strong when opportunities appear to be knocking but God says "No". When this is accompanied by seeing others get exactly what you want (maybe with less less effort, less graciousness, less thankfulness, etc.). Sometimes it is so hard to see through the pain, disappointment, discouragement, and even rejection to be able to see the necessary character it is building within. We just want what we want sometimes to the point of obsession.......and that is when it gets dangerous.
What does the Bible say over and over developing perseverance, staying the course, developing faithfulness and patience...the proving of our trials will produce? The victor's crown of life, character, success, wisdom, and so on.....The books of Peter, James and Proverbs explain it loud and clear, if we have eyes to see and ears to hear.
I love Lysa's quote. It made me stop and think for sure:
Nothing kills patience like being solely focused on the object of your desire. And tragically, impatience becomes the breeding ground for compromise.
And so what IS the object of our desire. We all know it should be Jesus but what have we replaced it with? A house? an SUV? a job? weight loss? an achievement? recognition? a baby? new clothes? a designer purse, sunglasses, or shoes? And how do we compromise our character? By going into debt, cheating, creating an image, manipulating others, fad dieting, pressing our spouse until they give in and give us what we want...maybe spreading a rumor, stealing, maybe pushing someone else out of the way so we can have our own moment in the sun. In the end, it's all compromise. The bible tells us to simply "trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.....". Jesus said, 'Trust the Lord and do good...". Proverbs and Psalms tell us repeatedly It's so easy to try to make things happen on our own when we feel God isn't working fast enough. It's so hard to trust in His promises when we are that focused on our wants. Lysa shares a story of her young daughter impatiently waiting for a cake to bake and, of course, removing it from the oven before it is fully done. Here is her summary:The cake couldn’t withstand the pressure of an undone center… and neither can we.
If we obsess over the cake and make it our whole focus, character atrophies. If we make growing in godliness our obsession and keep our focus on God, our character matures. And a mature character makes for a solid and well done center.
I thank God everyday for the no’s He’s graciously allowed and continues to allow in my life. I used to pray, “God, let me, let me, let me!”
I now pray, “God, please never let my success outgrow the character necessary to handle it.”There was a time when what others thought of me was so important I created a cover image over my whole life, a smokescreen. Certain achievements were thought to create certain material rewards and when they didn't, I worked tirelessly to make thing s look as though they did.We all did -- now how silly is that? The pressure it creates is unbearable. I've witnessed first hand numerous people, good Christian warriors, men and women of God, compromise their character just for a little recognition or to impress others with their so-called success. Unfortunately, when we are impatient, in this case, unwilling to persevere until true success comes on God's timing and in His way, we not only hurt ourselves, but we drag others down with us.
I promise you, my friend, if you will step back a bit and really look at the situation from the perspective of truth, not based on perceptions or selfish wants, and ask God to help you see, He will open your eyes and lead you on the paths of righteousness and peace (Proverbs 3). And, if you persevere, continuing to keep your eyes on Him as the prize instead of the idol in your life, you'll find all you are looking for and more besides.
Here are a few power verses to help you win your battle:
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience. But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing. If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving
God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly,
without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given
him. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under
trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood
the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor’s]
crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him. (James 1:3-5, 12 AMP)
So don't lose a minute in building on what you've been given, complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others. With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. Without these qualities you can't see what's right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. (2 Peter 1:5, 7-9 MSG)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight. Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame. (Proverbs 3:5, 6, 13-18, 35 NIV)
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