Was Life Meant to Be Like This?

 Was life meant to be this complicated? John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. What is going on in our lives that is sucking the joy right out of it? If we were meant to have life and have it to the full, why aren't we living this way? Why are many of us frustrated, stressed, upset, depressed, angry, bored, discouraged, disappointed, etc...? It's that etc..., right? 

I am a firm believer that most of the time, I create my own problems. I don't set proper boundaries, I react poorly to outside stressors, I don't maintain healthy life habits, or some other negative approach that I choose. In other words, I can't always blame Satan because I'm frustrated, upset, discouraged, overweight, or any number of woe-is-me choices I've made. Personal reflection and accountability is key to our own happiness so much of the time when we are struggling, but I will stick to speaking on my own recovery for now. You can identify yourself if you can relate here, and I encourage you to do so, because it will bring about the change that will eventually lead to the joy you've been missing. There is no shame here. I want to make that clear, because I think we need to be able to see our own behavior clearly without attaching shame, blame, and labels to it. Identify it for what it is and set about a plan to change it. I don't see any benefit to dwelling on the things we do wrong, but find a solution and get on with it. Ephesians 4:22-24 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, to be made new in the attitude of your minds, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 

I can't complain about not fitting into my spring wardrobe from last year when I continue to snack on chips. I admit, I lack healthy coping skills sometimes. I don't have substance abuse problems, unless you count needing to crawl onto my bed, pull the blanket up to my chin, and bite off a chocolate bunny ear while watching reruns of Mary Tyler Moore until I feel better. I have also turned to "retail therapy," where the comfort has come in the way of ordering something new or shopping at the Dollar Store for things I don't need just to feel better about things I'm actually avoiding feeling things about. The root of all of those behaviors is fear and avoidance. When we fear things instead of face them, they will still be there when we tire of the thing we bought, or crawl out of our chocolate bunny coma, 5 pounds heavier, and then the cycle of self-loathing can begin again. Jeremiah 15:19 Therefore, this is what the Lord says: "If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless words, you will be my spokesman... It is very hard to be a witness for the Lord while also overindulging in chocolate bunny ears, complaining, or any other useless coping device. 

If you recognized yourself in my examples, it's time we both get a positive solution! Satan is a joy-sucker and he loves it when we play the game. He will certainly jump in and step all over us when we are weak, making our despair even worse. But we have to make a decision to choose better, and that means making a conscious choice to choose God's way.  Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. We have to level up here, and in doing so, we toss the devil and his schemes out, and let God in. Too often when we are embroiled in our own pity parties, (ok, maybe just my pity party) it can be very easy to become forgetful of others, even God. We can  say, "Oh, no, I'd never forget God!" but when we are saying one thing and doing the opposite, it becomes like that. Because when our joy is being destroyed, no one could see God in us if they had a supernatural microscope. Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." We can't serve God when we are serving ourselves and our problems. In fact, our focus on our problems edges God out entirely. Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God

God is in the business of solutions, and when we trust Him with our complications, He will give us the means and the tools to make our way out and back into the light again. Something I struggle with is frustration, and I've noticed that after I invite God into my trouble with frustration, I begin feeling much freer to let certain things go without feeling that same anxiety as before. I am reminded Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God...  I am learning to simplify things that I once made very complicated because of my self-induced perfection complex. A controlling need for everything to be a certain way was not bringing me the peace that is more important to me and the people around me.  Is our peace worth losing over things that don't really matter in the grand scheme of things? We have to be willing to ask ourselves these questions before we lose our minds over things that God didn't even ask us to do. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God–that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the Lord."

A life that is complicated is a life crying out to be simplified. Whatever that means is defined by us, but it starts with the understanding that many things we believe are important are probably not as significant as we esteem them to be. We can start by asking God what those things are that are getting in the way of our time with Him. What is affecting our relationships that is better off given to the Lord instead of coming out of our mouths? What are the things that are cluttering up our minds and taking up our precious spaces? Those are indicators that changes need to be made. We can make our own decisions about our approach to life. If we're too busy, too stressed, too tired, too frustrated, always upset with someone, then we know something is off balance, and no one can change it but us. We can invite God in to the process and ask Him for the solutions. The thief comes to take life away, but God wants us to have the life He gave us, not to just live an ordinary existence, but to "have it to the full." Once we are given direction, we need to take those solutions to heart and make changes if we really don't want to live a complicated existence anymore. Philippians 4:13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 

I continue to be inspired by my dear friend and mentor who at the age of 71 is still going strong in the gym at 4:30am. After surviving a life-threatening stroke, he made the commitment with God to change his life and stop his unhealthy habits in order to live (That's the short version of the story). But Norm doesn't want us to just be inspired by his impressive health habits. He encourages others to actually DO something different, and while that seems simple, it really is the step most people won't take. Yes, we know we need to eat better and exercise, but will we really? Or do we think only "other people" can do it? One thing I know about Norm's story is that none of what he went through was easy. Not one moment! I thought, "who in their right minds would run through deep snow in heavy boots?" It's someone with a mind made up for change, that's who! And that is Norm. When you make a promise to God to live healthy, you don't take days off. Norm could have, but he keeps choosing life day after day. Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is speaking the Word over our bondage until it becomes who we are instead of what is holding us back from living. It's 'seeking first the kingdom'. It's doing right and then God giving you rest for your soul. We are all capable of living out the Word of God and seeing it work in us.  When we approach the Lord and we ask for His help in earnest prayer, we will be amazed at the strength in which we will be able to change. 1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. 

Today's Prayer: Father, we come to you with hearts full of gratitude. We are so thankful for your love and mercy toward us and we know you are there to help us become the people you designed us to be. We acknowledge that we've gotten out of balance with bad habits or negative thinking, and we need Your help. We ask Your forgiveness for ways that we have made wrong choices or said things that hurt others, or made decisions that burdened ourselves or others. We pray that You would deliver us from the burdens of these choices, and give us a fresh, clean start as only You can. Thank you for Your love and faithfulness and for Your Word to help us learn and grow. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

For more information: see www.sirnorm.com 

Boundaries (book) by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend