I am, by nature, a fairly private person. Especially in respect to current and active happenings in my life. I have no problem sharing about past struggles, and sharing how God has been with me through those struggles, and relating those experiences to others in an attempt to encourage, or to promote openness and vulnerability within a group. Most people who know me have a solid understanding of past struggles in my life, but only a select few know about the inner struggles that are actively raging in my life.
I'm not going to suddenly change this quirk and become someone whose emotions are worn on my sleeve. But I am going to say this: its been a really rough few months in my life. Over the past few days, thanks in large part to honest, hard, cutting conversations, and a phenomenal wife who speaks Biblical truth into my heart, there has been a definite shift over the last few days.
Among the wisdom that has allowed some small steps forward this week has been an application of Paul's advice in Philippians 4:8-9:
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
So, if you are reading this, and you are struggling, let me stand beside you today and speak these words to you too. Each and every day, even among the fingerlings of darkness that work throughout life, there are moments, times, and happenings each day that can fit into these categories from Paul. Those things have to be sought out, it must be an intentional part of your day, you must engage the glory in each day. It is an experiential truth, as well as revealed truth in the Word that when we seek the things of God in every day that God will be there with us.
Find people in your life who love you enough to speak hard, true, and soul-satisfying words into your life.
