As a preface, I just want to make it known that I am writing these words and sharing them because it is quite therapeutic for me. This is why you’ll be able to find these types of posts in the ‘journal’ section of my blog. I honestly don’t expect anyone to read these. Truthfully, I’m typing them so I can use them as a resource for myself to come back to, but if you do find yourself reading them I do hope they can be an encouragement to you as well. 🙂 Warning: I got a little longwinded here.
So far, being a mom has been one of THE most rewarding things I have ever experienced in my entire life. However, that’s not to say that it hasn’t come with its fair share of hardships. One moment, I feel like I’ve made a difference in the world and the next, I’m sobbing my eyes out because I feel like an utter failure. This up-and-down flow can prove for some very dark days, and I have this sneaking feeling that I’m just not alone in this. Many days go by, and it seems like all we did was survive. Boy am I ever thankful that ‘God’s mercies are new every morning’ (Lamentations 3:23)! I think when we, as Christians, are put into difficult situations (for me, being a stay at home mom), the temptations from our flesh, the world and satan abound – whether that be anger, impatience, giving up, lack of self discipline, covetousness, trading the Lord for lesser things, or making idols out of loved ones…the list could go on. I am reminded of Paul and his ‘thorn in the flesh’ that he speaks of in 2 Corinthians 12:7. When I hear this verse, I think about what the reality of indwelling sin causes Christians to face each and every day: the desire to do what is right but failing to do it and doing things that we know to be wrong. Knowing that God has wired each and every one of us in such an intricate way – in his image, in his beauty, brings abundant hope, mom or not. He created each of us for one big, main purpose – to glorify him by enjoying him forever. Those ‘thorns’ in the flesh will most likely never be removed from the Christian on this side of heaven, but how we daily deal with them can make a big difference in our living before a holy God and therefore others. All this in mind, what a beautiful opportunity God has given Christian parents to exemplify the Gospel to their children. We are their missionaries; while we can’t save them, we know that we have a great responsibility to help them see their sin, turn from it and trust in Jesus by the way we live it out before them.
I am completely and fully convinced that one of the most helpful ways to deal with sin is by looking to the one who committed no sin. The one who was faced with every temptation as we are yet committed no wrong. The one who gave himself up so that we wouldn’t have to experience the wrath of God if we but put our trust in him. He is our hope! He is Jesus! Catechism question #71 asks: Did Jesus ever sin? No, Jesus lived a perfect life. ‘He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth’ (1 Peter 2:22). By looking at his life, we are able to see how we ought to live. Another very helpful way to deal with sin is, obviously, by looking at the rest of God’s word, at passages that expound on the commandments, the moral law. Below, I have compiled some of the sins that I am tempted with on a daily basis and have paired a verse/verses to help fight each particular temptation. Because again – looking to Jesus and his word is the cure. If there ever was a ‘quick fix’ for fighting sin, it would be this. Most of these references express how Jesus would have responded in his perfection even though they don’t explicitly speak of him. While it is certainly not a comprehensive list for each sin, these are the verses that have encouraged me the most.
Again, selfishly, this compilation is for me. I am writing this because I desperately need these reminders. I’m also posting this to share with you that you’re not alone if you find yourself struggling through similar sins or in a similar season. I hope it is an encouragement to you if you, too, share in the temptation of being pulled away from the Truth.
When I am tempted to become angry…
-Psalm 37:8 – ‘Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.’
-Psalm 145:8 – ‘The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.’
-Proverbs 15:18 – ‘A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.’
-Ephesians 4:26 – ‘Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…’
When I am tempted to become impatient…
-1 Corinthians 13:4 – ‘Love is patient and kind; Love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…’
-2 Peter 3:9 – ‘The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.’
When I am tempted to give up…
-Philippians 3:13- 4 – ‘But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.’
When I am tempted to covet…
-Ephesians 5:5 – ‘For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.’
1 Thessalonians 5:18 – ‘Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
When I am tempted to retreat to social media…
Ephesians 5:15 – ‘Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.’
When I am tempted to put the Lord to the side…
-Philippians 2:12 – ‘…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.’
When I am tempted to make an idol out of my husband…
-Exodus 20:3 – ‘You shall have no other gods before me.’
When I am tempted to find my satisfaction in the things of this world…
-Psalm 16:11 – ‘You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.’
-Mark 10:23 – ‘And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!â€â€™
When I am tempted to become a slave to food…
-Psalm 119:103 – ‘How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!’
-John 6:35 – ‘Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.’
When I am tempted to pass up an opportunity for quiet time…
Psalm 1:2 – ‘…but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.’
-Psalm 19:7 – ‘The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple…’
-Luke 6:12 – ‘In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.’
When I am tempted to give in to the instability of my emotions…
-Colossians 1:23 – ‘…if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.’
-James 1:4 – ‘And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.’
-James 1:6-8 – ‘But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.’
[‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ 2 Corinthians 12:9
“…looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…†Hebrews 12:2]
xoxo,
Audrey
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