Eyes wide open

A lot is going on for me in this season of my life. I'm being tested physically as I deal with a long-term illness and I am being tested spiritually as I wrestle with God over some deep thought processes that need to be corrected in my heart and mind.

Three verses come to mind as I journey down this path:

• Psalm 119:29 - Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions.
• Psalm 51:6 - Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
• Romans 12:3 - Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given you.

These three passages highlight a tendency we all have: To deceive ourselves and justify our actions.  We so desperately want to see ourselves in a good light that we often miss the truth of who we really are:  Sinners saved by grace. But the above verses warn against this trap and encourage us to face the truth about ourselves so that the Lord's work can be completed in us.

So, be honest with yourself (as I am trying to be during this painful time in my life).  See with eyes wide open what the Lord is trying to teach you.  Trust me, when you do, the stress subsides and peace enters in.

Hebrews 4:15b-16

This High Priest of ours (Jesus) 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.