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Friday, November 13, 2009

And we are changed...



The purpose of God's discipline is changed behavior.

Ouch.. that truth hurts. There have been many times when God has chastened and disciplined my sweet little self and guess what?

My behavior did NOT change. You know why? Because I didn't really heed the discipline. I didn't really take to heart what the Lord was teaching me. Sad, but oh, so true.

There have been times that I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that God was speaking to me about a needed change on my part. A change of behavior.

I even whole heartedly agreed with Him that I need to make a change. It was something that I had been wrestling with myself about already. I had recognized that when it came to this particular emotion I was feeling - I was wrong. Plain and simple.

I knew I was wrong. I knew I needed to do something about it. I even went so far as to confess it and ask God to forgive me for it.

But that's right where it stopped. I didn't carry it one step further. I failed to get to the root of the problem and dig it up. I dealt with it at the surface level and left the roots in the ground, ready to spring up at the slightest watering. My behavior hadn't changed at all. Not one bit.

I wasn't willing to totally relinquish control of that problem to God. I was more consumed with my desire than I was with the Lord's. I was steadily convincing myself that I was justified in my thinking. I was at an impasse with God. Therefore, I would never truly experience true spiritual transformation until I gave Him complete control over that area.

I had failed to recognize the encounter I had with God. The encounter where He was gently guiding me to do what was right. To do what He was leading. To do His will.

I was just allowing myself to continue in that wrong attitude - allowing the chains of bondage to suck a little tighter around me!

It wasn't until I allowed the truth to penetrate deeply in my soul that I faced it squarely and honestly. I had to give it over and let go of it completely. Be submissive to God.

I am not really sure why I chose to hang on to that which threatened to keep me from going forward with God. Perhaps pride. Rebellion. No matter what the reason - it was plain 'ole disobedience.

I am thankful that God is patient and loving. He extended mercy to me. He ever so gently led me to the foot of the cross where I laid that behavior at His Feet.  And I left it there. Never to pick it up again. Praise you, Jesus.

"Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established" (Proverbs 16:3)


Beth

18 comments:

Tammy said...

I can so relate to hearing but not doing! For years, I ignored the voice of God, continuing in my secret life of adultery.

I thank God for His mercy and grace on my life and marriage.

Great post!

love and hugs~Tammy

Edie said...

I feel like I'm repeating Tammy here when I say...
I can so relate to this! It is that battle between the flesh and the spirit. Some desires die hard. I'm so glad that God doesn't give up and that He keeps loving us.

Wylie @ Shout A Joyful Noise! said...

I was laughig to a sweet sister-in-Christ the other day about how God disciplines those He loves, and how He had been REALLY loving on me lately!!!

But seriously, I am so very thankful for His discipline, and the incredible mercy He diplays in it. He is so gentle in His ways, and patient in ways that I can't even get my mind wrapped around! Oh, how I love Him!

Thanks for the post! A good word! Have a blessed weekend!
Joyfully,
Wylie

~*Michelle*~ said...

As a complete control freak, I struggle with letting go.....thankfully we serve such a loving and patient God whose mercy and forgiveness is never ending.

Thank you for this amazing post filled with TRUTH!

LisaShaw said...

Thank you for sharing dear sister. I can relate to some of what you shared -- we've all been there so to speak in some way shape form or fashion and thank GOD HE is merciful and faithful to us.

I am always so LIFTED in my heart when I visit with you. I love your realness!!!

Beth E. said...

Ouch, indeed...I have dealt with the same problems at times. I'm so glad that God loves us enough to steer us back onto the right path when we stray!

Thanks for a great post...

Amy said...

You know it is funny that I get on to my kids all the time for hearing what I tell them but not listening to what I am saying. I am sure God is looking at me saying the samething day after day. I am so thankful for His mercy when I don't heed His discipline the first time.

Thank you for stopping by my blog earlier. I am so encouraged each time I log in and see that a new friend has stopped by. Please come back anytime.

A Stone Gatherer said...

Thanks Beth. Lately I have been feeling like I haven't totally given God a certain area. The thing is I thought I had, but old habits and thoughts started coming back in to my shock! This post has helped me realized that I need to give it up forever!!!

petrii said...

Beth,
I love your heart. It is so hard sometimes to surrender. In the trial I currently find myself in, I have just wanted to be on the other side so badly, I haven't always listened as I should and there for I feel so often like we're back to square one. But God is so faithful and I am seeing light through the difficulties. The song that you have playing is so blessing my heart.

"I want to sit at His feet, drink from the cup in His hand." Oh yes, let me sit and drink...beautiful.

I love you sweet girl,
Dawn

Kathleen said...

You're telling my story ... In fact, you're telling the story of anyone and everyone that has walked with God for any length of time. Why do we resist? I know for me it's connected to the control thing, or the "what ifs?".

One thing's certain: He never forsakes us. No wonder we fall in love with Him over-and-over again. Great is His faithfulness, His mercy & grace!

Blessings,
Kathleen

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad and happy for you... that you were able to leave it at the foot of the cross never to be picked up again!

Jennifer @ JenniferDukesLee.com said...

So hard to lay those burdens down.

Harder still, to leave them there.

I feel these words, in the marrow.

But when we do lay them down, and leave them there? Yes! We are changed.

Blessings sister ...

Joan Carr said...

Ouch! Oh how many times have I been guilty of this myself.So very well said and wrote. Amazing the love of God for His children even after our disobedience. I'm so thankful for His longsuffering.

Jennifer said...

Hi Beth! Thanks for stopping by my blog and your beautiful words of encouragement. I can so relate to your post. It's something I often struggle with. Thank God He loves us anyway!!!

Jennifer

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

I've heard it said, and I believe it to be true...

The greatest miracles God performs is a changed heart.

When we actually begin to heed his instructions, his guidance, his shaping and see the fruit of our "bending." There is a danger at times when we've known God as long as we have...

We grow complacent with our hearts. We think we've made it on some levels; even typing that makes me shudder, because that kind of thinking is an area of growth in and of itself.

I'm yielding with you sister; wanting God to continue his shaping in me until he roots the entirety of "me" out of the equation.

Blessings and peace to you this week~elaine

Karen Hossink said...

"allowing the chains of bondage to suck a little tighter around me"
Do you think if we realized at the time we were really allowing the chains of bondage to hold us, that we would continue to ignore God's move in our hearts?
Somehow, understanding what's really going on makes the decision to do what's right a whole lot easier. I mean, who in their right mind would say, "I think I'll just keep moving along in bondage for a while longer."?
So, so very thankful for God's patience and mercy!!!

Jackie said...

Ouch and Hallelujah!! I can totally relate and thank the Lord for His mercy and loving "persistence" in dealing with us in areas of our lives that are not totally surrendered to Him!

Thank the Lord that He never gives up on us and His Love is unending!!!

Thanks for sharing this post!

Sweet Blessings!
Jackie

Yolanda said...

Beth, I honestly feel like you have crawled into my mind and into my heart and you are writing what you have seen from with-in me. Lord, help me, cause me to allow You to change me.

Hits hard, hits hard.

Love,
Yolanda