God’s thoughts and ways may at times seem strange. The things of God are foolishness to the carnal mind (1 Corinthians 2:14). If you have suffered traumatic experiences, what God is asking of you may seem virtually impossible or unreasonable. Yet “God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning and discern the glory of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him.” (Ministry of Healing, p. 479).
When [Jesus] “was reviled, he reviled not again; when He suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). You can, through the power of the sacrifice Christ made for all, commit every wrong that has been done to, or committed against you, to God, just as Jesus did. So often, though, you may find yourself fighting so hard to control your life even though the result is often failure. Perhaps those who were given the responsibility to care for, educate, or provide spiritual nurturing disappointed, violated, or abused you, causing you much suffering. You cannot bear the thought of putting the steering wheel into the hands of another driver. This is just what you don’t want to do in fear of being traumatized again. But God is not like man.
Let’s look at what Jesus did again in regards to wrongs done to him --- He “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (1 Peter 2:23). He brought His trials before the Father while sojourning here on earth, and in the presence of the Father He found comfort and strength. God understands that trauma does pose challenges in the arena of trust. The good news is that Jesus “bare our sins [doubt and unbelief] in his own body on the tree that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24). He can handle all the habits or ideas you have gained in the kingdom of darkness if you commit them to him.
Some people find it easier to open up themselves to complete strangers for it is unlikely that there will be judgment or ostracism. Most people find it difficult, however, to trust someone they don’t love. By dwelling on the love of God demonstrated through His Son to save you from sin and eternal damnation, allowing Him the glorious opportunity for you to be “made the righteousness of God in Him [Jesus], you get to behold the true character of God. Then it becomes easier to trust Him. “For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (Romans 5:7, 8; John 3:16).
As a shift is made from focusing on what others have done to you to recognizing the depth of your own sinfulness, you will sense your need for a Savior. You will begin to understand the enormous sacrifice Jesus has made for you personally. And the heart then cries out for the only Savior --- Jesus Christ.
Be prepared as you talk to Jesus that He will declare things for you that may seem far-fetched at the point you are on your journey of life. Mourning or depressed? He may say that He has given you “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness” (Isaiah 61:3). Battling with evil forces? He may say, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy” (Psalm 107:2). Laden with fear? God may refer to you as He did to Gideon as a “mighty man (or woman) of valour” (Judges 6:12), even when you lack courage and faith, just as He inspired Gideon to become a mighty warrior. He will never, never fail you for He is a God who stands by His word.
“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). It is the mission of Jesus to save from sins, and declare liberty to walk according to His principles (See Isaiah 61:1, 2). “Our lives may seem a tangle; but as we commit our lives to the keeping of the Master-worker, He will bring out the pattern of life and character that will be to His own glory {ST May 20, 1908 par 5}. Pray, therefore, that God will provide His Holy Spirit to illuminate His Word so you can work in tandem with Him day by day for the creation of His masterpiece. It’s none other but YOU.
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