There is a disturbance in the force that I feel is about my preference for comfort rather than Jesus’ pleasure. I can attempt to convince myself that it’s my righteous indignation but I fear that it is being revealed as something quite the contrary. I want what makes me comfortable.
The News – I Want It to Make Me Comfortable
The news and state of our country has disturbed me to my core. I woke up this morning with that vague sense of trouble, of which the Holy Spirit has convicted me is something very different than I thought. It was like He was questioning me, “Why does the state of the United States disturb you?” This made me think, well, is this country about me or is it for His sake?
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
John 16:33 AMPC
I Want My Fear to Stop
If I am completely honest with myself, my fear is about and for me! It is my loss I am worried about, not God’s. I’m disturbed that things are changing and they’ll affect my life, my comfort, and my convenience. I am at the center of my distress, and that is the problem. When Christ is at the center, He is Lord over ALL, but when I am at the center, I am somehow responsible for everything. In a word, yuck! When I am at the center and it’s all about me and what I want, this is a scary world.
I am a poor god! Basically, I am saying that I am fearful because things aren’t serving ME. They’re not playing out how I want. The situations are threatening my world, my life, and my ease—me, Me, ME. I am not concerned for His Will to be done. I’m not focused on His pleasure. Quite the contrary, my disturbance is that the feathers in my nest might get ruffled. Oh God, it is so selfish!
I Want It to Stop
Along with a number of citizens, I want the progression of the leftist agenda to stop. But the question remains, for whose benefit? Is it so I can remain safe and secure or is it for Christ? Again, today if I am willing to be core level honest, I am seeing it is about me. I like buying my organic foods and mass produced Chinese imports, I like traveling where and when I want to, I want healthcare that works for me and my loved ones. Basically I want to do what I want, when I want, and how I want. Then my disturbance with the direction of our country is because I might not have what I want and what makes me comfortable. This isn’t about Christ at all.
If this is only me, then count it as my confession. But if you possibly suffer from this too, I am pleased it is exposed. No matter what transpires in our country, our home and current dwelling place is in the heavens. The politics of the day never affected Jesus because Jesus lived His Life in the Will of the Father. His Life was not subject to earthly circumstance. And He came to separate us from our earthly prison. We can dwell immune to the reported news because it is News of a foreign land.
I Want the Truth
…they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own, using the same power with which He will bring everything under His control.
Philippians 3:19b-21
Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.
Colossians 3:2-4 NLT
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father of light….. I receive this as what it is, a gift of Light and Life from the Father.
Thank you, John for being His earthen vessel that exhorts the body of Christ to be who and what we are… His.
Bless you Linda, no greater commendation. If that is what this is, to God be all the praise, I am rejoicing. Love you!
I’ve actually wondered in the past if God intends to allow America to increase in its ways IN ORDER TO demonstrate His glory through shaking it mightily to drive the Jews out and back home so Jesus can return. Regardless if that’s an accurate perspective, I have to trust His sovereign plan…It’s perfect…& am I willing to participate in His plan for their redemption and His reign at the cost of my daily comfort?
For sure Tricia, He is sovereign and has a sovereign plan in these times. He is perfect even when it doesn’t look perfect. I haven’t thought about it like you have described but that is a wonderful thought. All I can do is say, Yes Lord. Bless you and thank you. Big hug!
Thank you John. It’s somehow comforting to know I’m not the only one emotionally responding to the news. I get more frustrated and angry than fearful. I want to get in there and speak to all these misguided souls and fix them. Ha Ha Good luck with that. You opened my eyes to see what’s really going on inside me. Thank you Lord, for using my brother to convict me. BTW I received my book, and I’m in awe. It will be extremely difficult to go day by day. I want to devour the whole thing right now! I may… Read more »
Oh it can make me crazy Wanda. There is more to come on this subject. Let’s see where the Father takes us.
Glad you got your book. I love the picture you put up on Facebook. Thank you for that! Love you too!
You are most certainly not alone John. Like most of the emotions in life, this issue for me is one more where I have to choose to hold on to His Truth. No matter how things appear to my flesh, my spirit reminds me of the words you just shared, His Words, “…I have overcome the world…” HAVE! HAS! He’s already done it! (And my inner self does the snoopy happy dance! And can’t stop dancing!). When He says “I have” to me it’s a done deal. So everything I see going on around me is like watching an historical… Read more »
I am joining you in that happy dance! He has conquered and finished.
Thank you for your picture on Facebook Tammy. Hope to see more people do it too.
Thank you for the update about Harry! We will still be praying.