Even worse, what about when someone you are close to, perhaps even a family member is lost in this? How do you encourage the un-encouageable?
From what I’ve seen, running away from God or being angry or disappointed makes it all worse. You get further and further away, more and more depressed, and soon slip completely into a spiritual coma of anger, sadness, and a sense of being “wronged” by God. This is a dangerous position that requires full repentance, but the ironic part is that those in this position don’t feel they have anything to be repentant of. They take the part of the victim, and feel they “deserve” something better than what they got.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Cr 12:8-10
We have such light burdens. We are set free and in that freedom we need to rejoice. If God is withholding something from us, it is for our benefit, and the ultimate glory of his name. If you feel you really “deserve” something more, repent, because we deserve death and eternal destruction, but by his grace we are given life eternal. What more do we deserve?
“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’" Rev 21: 3-4
I don’t know about you, but this promise is worth it all to me. How amazing is his grace. I know where I came from, I know what I deserve, and I am overwhelmed by his mercy, goodness, and grace.
I look forward to hearing any insights you have on how to help this person? And better yet, how to help the one who has to live with them?
Blessings today my friends!
Kari
