"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit."Galatians 5:25
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

Friday, November 2, 2012

Beware of the Snare


We fear man's disapproval or judgment.
We worry about what he thinks.
We base our value on how man reacts to us or treats us.
Do I have to be loved to be okay?
If I do,
I might as well build a trap and then step in to it.
Proverbs 29:25 
"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe."
Beware of the snare.
It's all DANGER and leads us towards insecurity
and away from total trust in the Lord.


Journal entry:
August 26, 2009
Lord,
I feel that old struggle with the fear of man waging war in my mind. Comparing my popularity with that of others, watching friendships and wondering if I am as well liked. Asking myself "why don't they like me? Why am I not good enough? What do I need to change that will make them like me more? What do they have that I don't?"
Then You showed me, the Trap is laid, that is the fear of man, and I am caught in it.
There are things, so many things, that need to be changed in my life. By your grace and power, you have applied the sharpened tools and the fire to change me.
But why is change necessary?
You change me so that I reflect your glory, bear your image, so that others see Christ in me. Your blade makes me more like Christ.
But I must remember that the purpose of change is NEVER, EVER to make others love me more or accept me more. It's NEVER so that I would attract more friends to myself, NEVER so that I can feel good about myself. I've wanted you to change me, "fix me" all for my own benefit. Forgive me that for this moment I was consumed with thoughts of changing myself for that very purpose. In seeking my own glory, I would distort yours, blackening and tarnishing what You have done.
I repent before You, Lord!

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