"More than fine, more than bent on getting by.
More than fine, more than just ok." ~Switchfoot
More than fine, more than just ok." ~Switchfoot
With news of Loverbrains trip being elongated...I needed an attitude change yesterday. I took a page from the Jewish phylacteries idea...and carted verses around in my pockets, purse, etc. I know verses like...2 Cor. 12:9, "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 of my
weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."...but I often don't "own it" in my attitude.
Recently, I was deeply convicted by the following, "Do you believe and depend on your Lord so that He alone is sufficient for you in your present circumstances and need (Acts 14:35) Is He so sufficient to you that you do not even need to complain and seek sympathy and pity from others."
Now, at first I struggled against this teaching. I believe that sharing our burdens is essential within churches. Galatians 6:2, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." But when I scrambled to look it up I realized that the same passage talks about not boasting and bearing your own share of burdens too.
Then, as I was trotting along on the treadmill...the Switchfoot lyrics above came buzzing through my head. It made me think of how I become irritated by greetings among Christians. We ask how the other is doing without really caring about the answer. We don't have time...expect the answer to be "fine"...I need to slow down and take my time with my brothers and sisters.
That being said...I also realize that in Christ I'm "more than fine...more than bent on getting by...I'm more than just OK!" I'm not suggesting we should be annoying on this point. It always makes me grit my teeth a bit when people answer, "Better than I deserve." Although it's the truth it's sort of like "socking it to ya!" The truth is I should be saying, "I'm great, blessed..." with a joyful (JOY FULL) demeanor. Even though I'm missing Loverbrains terribly...I really tried to share my blessings through this trial. He loves us...He is working hard...He will be home soon.
God provides more than I need...God is more than enough for me. Because I believe that is true...I was able to put a smile on my face and act out Eph. 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
5 comments:
Had to smile because I've had an opposite reaction to greetings. I'm not an effervescent person, so most often when people say, "How are you," knowing they don't really want all the particulars, I usually answer, cheerfully, even, "Doing ok." And often they'll respond, "Just ok?" And I think, OK is pretty good in my book -- things could be a lot worse. LOL!
I have a friend who is at the extreme in every emotion -- if everyone else is smiling or chuckling, she's guffawing and pounding her knee; when someone else would be feeling a little bummed out, she's in the depths of despair. And it's not put on -- she's an artist and has a very emotive personality. But that's just exhausting to me.
But there is a sense in which I am supposed to be more than ok, overcoming, victorious, etc.
He is more than enough. I always love that truth. It's hard for me to grasp but I see it in the ways grace overflows to each of us in so many different ways.
Hope your hubby gets to come home soon!
This REALLY jumped out at me:
" I know verses like...2 Cor. 12:9,....but I often don't "own it" in my attitude." I love this idea of owning the verse...and with attitude to boot!
and finding our sufficiency in HIM to be complete....
AMEN!
And I am sure there is stuff that God wants to bless you in learning while LB is away and they will be things you would not learn if not in this situation.
Go girl go.
I have been hung up on "Taste and see that the Lord is good"
He is so so good.
Bobbi, You speak so much real truth when you admit that you don't always own Biblical teaching with your own attitude. I hear you sister!
{kind of cracks me up that you call your hub "Loverbrains." That is too funny.}
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