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re you honest with God? It’s a question I used to answer quickly… not so much anymore. It seems that the older I am, the more I am willing to explore my “honesty” with God.
Growing up on a hard-working family farm, with a strong Swiss-German heritage, I learned to “buck-up”, “never give up”, and “make it happen” no matter how hard it was or how I was feeling. I suspect this may resonate for many of you.
While I’m grateful for the positive aspects of this heritage, it also created the conditions for me to push past my thoughts and feelings without fully recognizing or acknowledging them. It has been quite a journey for me to learn to be aware of the swirling thoughts and emotions behind the person I present to others...and to God--to be honest with God, myself and those around me...
Given the massive uncertainty our whole world is experiencing at this moment and how quickly it is all happening, I imagine many of us have not taken time to reflect and be honest with God about what’s going on internally.
As you reflect on the following questions and Scriptures, I pray that we will grow in our capacity to engage with real honesty with the One who made us in very real and honest conversations.
Given our current reality, what are the possible outcomes for you and your business? What are the implications?
What thoughts and/or feelings are you experiencing as you consider the implications?
Are you aware of your thoughts and emotions as you consider these implications?
What does the conversation sound like between you and God...and those close to you? Would God and others say you are being honest with what you are feeling (even if your head knows “God’s got it”)?
Slowly read the passages below. What are you sensing God invite you into as you reflect on them? Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings. Writing out what is going through your mind can be helpful. Expressing your deep fears, concerns, disappointments and discouragements to God and others can be healing (Psalm 62:8).
“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands. I rise early before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words. I stay awake through the night, thinking about your promise. In your faithful love, O LORD, hear my cry; let me be revived by following your regulations. Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions.” - Psalm 119: 143,147-149, 153
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies." - 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 (NLT)
