Somewhere someone says something about how we show more of who we are when we’re stressed. I think that there is an interesting truth here to expound upon. One particularly relevant to my current status in life.
flustered (adj.): in a state of agitated confusion
The Lord is calling me to be holy. How do I know this? Well He told me so. There blog is done. NO! Wait. Simply because I know something to be true and must therefore be obedient to The Truth does not mean I shouldn’t educate myself on the “why.” The Lord is calling me to be holy because that is what will lead to lasting fulfillment (relationship with Him.) See that makes sense, it’s not simply a blind system. Well how can I know that relationship with Him is lasting fulfillment? I can subjectively look at my own life and see the difference between when I was in right relation with him and when I wasn’t. When I am in right relation with God I am at peace and while life is not instantaneously easy, I can persevere because of His grace. When I am not in right relation with God life is quite empty, there is no hope because I’m not receiving His grace. This of course is referring to a state of mortal sin where I effectively intentionally cut off my relationship with the Lord. Ok, so if right relation with God is something that brings peace why do I get flustered?
The short answer to the above question is because I’m human. The long answer is something to the effect of this:
Grace is not a Peter Parker spider bite. Once I make the decision to know, love, and serve the Lord I don’t get pumped with 3 cc’s of grace making me an angel wings and all. If that were the case everyone would be christian, mainly for the wings, but also for the ease of conversion. Conversion is not an easy thing. Think of house flipping, restoring a car, switching from Mac to PC (I’m assuming here. I’m still a Mac person, I drank of the kool aid), changing majors, and going from Velveeta to Kraft (or vice versa, pick your poison). The point is, none of these are effortless. The same is said in the christian life. Simply because I am choosing to become a christian does not mean I get to stop choosing to be a christian after that. Thus, there are times that I let my exhaustion or selfishness win as opposed to my word given to God most high and I get flustered. Now there is a difference of course between simply being flustered and acting on that state. I’m referring to the acting upon here.
Still the question could be pushed, why do christians get flustered even if they are more at peace? This is where the response I believe is, because we are human. Becoming a follower of Christ does not connote a removal of emotion, thus we may still at times feel flustered. It is our responsibility to not allow that to negatively affect our relationships with others.
So what do we do when we are flustered?
Oh yeah. You are a son or daughter of God most high. That means that whatever it is that has gotten you flustered at the end of the day is dust compared to His love for you.
“He sends forth his word, and melts them;” Psalm 147:18a
“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
The Lord is so merciful that He doesn’t allow for you to be tempted beyond your strength. He is constantly setting you up for success. If that isn’t enough to merit your confidence in the sonship that you’ve been given, He sends His Word and it melts them. For our purposes I’m interpreting the Psalm there as Jesus, the Living Word. We have a powerful and merciful Lord that is rooting for us. He is not going to give up on us, so much so that He sent His only Son to die for us. That death melts your sin when you repent and it is the reason that hope exists. So what to do when flustered?
Remember who you are. You are a son or daughter of God almighty. He has sacrificed Himself to be in relationship with You. Whatever you are experiencing is temporary, and nothing when placed before His Word. Live in the Hope He gives freely.
Please know of my prayers for you.
Ipsa Duce 