These past few weeks have been really tough for me. I had broken a rule at VMI and rather than submit and accept my punishment I reluctantly complained about how stupid or unfair I thought it was. What I failed to recognize was what God was trying to teach me through this. God is not a harsh or mean God, He is a God that disciplines His children in ways that they can grow closer to Him and glorify Him with their actions.God just wanted me to shut up because my flesh was not bringing glory to Him but that of myself. I know this may sound crazy but God wanted to discipline my tongue in a way in which would bring glory to Him.
Hebrews 12:5-7 says... "And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,'My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.'
As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father?"
Like a father, He was trying to discipline my behavior because He loves me and I represent Him. As I reflect today I recognize that I failed to ask Him to help me during this time, in which I relied on my flesh to provide for me. Rather than turn to Him in prayer.
I encourage you this week to really seek Him out in your daily prayer life. Ask Him to show you what in your life is detracting from His glory:
In other words what actions or behaviors you partake in are ruining not only your reputation but more importantly His?
For me it was my mouth. The greatest tragedy in this whole situation was that I failed to turn to Him and ultimately misrepresented who He is in my life. His love for me showed me that there is nothing I could do but recognize the freedom I have because of Him.
During the pre-empty nest season in our house, "Shut up!" was considered a harsh command. When one individual wanted another to cease speaking, "Please be quiet!" was the phrase that was allowed & encouraged. Is that phrase as effective?
ReplyDeleteThe Lord has repeatedly been encouraging me to be quiet for too many years. I even chose "Quiet" as my one word in 2010...Throughout that particular year, I often found myself thinking, "Why is it so hard for me to be quiet?" I realized that sometimes I actually needed firmer conviction from the Lord, “Just Shut Up!”
Your wisdom clarifies the significance of strong, divine conviction & discipline, “God is not a harsh or mean God, He is a God that disciplines His children in ways that they can grow closer to Him and glorify Him with their actions. God just wanted me to shut up because my flesh was not bringing glory to Him but that of myself. I know this may sound crazy but God wanted to discipline my tongue in a way in would bring glory to Him.” You sent me this Bible verse written on an index card that the Lord seems determined to write on my heart as He continues to “discipline my tongue” OUCH!!! “The heart of the Godly THINKS *CAREFULLY before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.” (Proverbs 15:28) Shame on me, my struggle to “shut up” intensifies whenever someone verbally disrespects me. I tend to verbally defend myself by hurling back an insult, instead of remembering a helpful song by Danielle Dwyer that Cory included in our MacBook Pro’s iTunes library, “Proverbs 15:1 The Verses Project” –“A soft word turns away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
As the Lord continues to work on my tongue, please pray for me & know that I am praying for you as well. I recently came across a journal entry from April 2010:
“Death & life are in the power of the tongue, & those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) I am so aware of my inability & need for Holy Spirit power to develop a mindset that will allow me to speak life & live the Psalm 19:14 way, “Let the words of our mouths & the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength & our redeemer.” I realize I need a new 1 word for this year…I decided to change my 1 word to the word **WORDS. I’m trying to stay focused & aware of the words I speak…if I’m not sure what to say, Lord, please help me to incorporate James 1:19 into my mindset, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” I need to become a better listener & I can only do so if I am SLOW to speak & QUICK to just shut up & listen…