May S.E.E. Blog

Just As I Am

One of the things I struggle with, especially during these days of widespread sickness, financial ruin, uncertainty, is Christians’ inability to tolerate each other’s doubt. All of us in our journey on earth have times of questioning, times when nothing makes sense, times when we are left with the simple truth that we do not have it all together. In our humanity we have sorrow, pain, loss, fear, doubt, but we are often uncomfortable with the emotions these bring. We feverishly reach for the right band-aid to stem the raw vulnerabilities of being human. “You just gotta have faith.” “Well, it must be God’s will.”

It seems as if we are terrified of allowing ourselves to be human? Afraid that if we don’t have all the answers God will be mad at us for having times of incomplete faith? Do we believe that God doesn’t understand us when our life is fraught with questions? I think the truth is, that we are scared to appear less spiritual than we should be. We are afraid that if we admit doubt it may appear that we are backsliding in our faith. We are concerned with how others perceive us, so we are tempted to hide our doubts. Often times, if we express our doubts and crisis of faith to others, their response leaves us feeling ashamed, or alone. 

I have found a tremendous blessing and encouragement in being able to identify with David in the Psalms. He is so much like me, one-minute praising God, the next minute crying out “God where the heck are You?” Fully trusting God and feeling close to Him, and then engulfed in fear, anger, & worry. In times like those I am find comfort and encouragement in the simple belief that God walks with me “through the valley of the shadow of death.”

He is with me. “Immanuel!” Because God sent His son to an earth filled with doubt, fear, mess, and questions, He can meet me in my doubt, my questions, my fear. People were drawn to Jesus because he provided a new kind of life where people felt safe and comfortable to ask Him questions without feeling judged or condemned. Instead they were valued and loved amid doubt and fear. 

The next time you find yourself or are with another during a time of questioning and doubt do not hastily squelch the questions and doubts because you are uncomfortable. God is aware of the fear and doubt we face and enters our lives loving us exactly where we are. Because we are God’s children, we are privileged to boldly approach the throne room bringing our mess, our fears, our doubts and questions. We are met there with complete acceptance and love which brings us to a place of understanding that Jesus is enough. He is with me. IMMANUEL!

Psalm 28:1-2 and 6-7 
To You, O Lord, I call;
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
For if You are silent to me,
I will become like those who go down to the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to You for help,
When I lift up my hands toward [a]Your holy sanctuary
Blessed be the Lord,
Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;

My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.

Psalm 55 verses 1-5 and 16-18a
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God;
And do not hide Yourself from my supplication.
2 Give heed to me and answer me;
I am restless in my complaint and [b]am surely distracted,
3 Because of the voice of the enemy,
Because of the pressure of the wicked;
For they bring down [c]trouble upon me
And in anger they bear a grudge against me.
4 My heart is in anguish within me,
And the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
5 Fear and trembling come upon me,
And [d]horror has overwhelmed me.
6 I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove!
I would fly away and [e]be at rest.
7 “Behold, I would wander far away,
I would lodge in the wilderness. [f]Selah.
8 “I would hasten to my place of refuge
From the stormy wind and tempest.”
16 As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.
18 He will redeem my soul in peace [n]from the battle which is against me

Phillipians 3:7-8
As for me, I shall call upon God,
And the Lord will save me.
17 Evening and morning and at noon, I will complain and murmur,
And He will hear my voice.
18 He will redeem my soul in peace [n]from the battle which is against me

Are you looking for more opportunities to manage your money, especially during these unprecedented times? Frontline Men would be glad to offer a Financial Peace University class to those that are interested. Please email Brian at frontlinemen@frontlinebible.com if you are interested. 

Five Ways to Improve Your Financial Health – https://www.daveramsey.com/blog/ways-to-improve-financial-health

How to Adjust After COVID-19? – https://www.crown.org/blog/ask-chuck-how-to-adjust-after-covid-19/

Scripture says that the “Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two edge sword, able to judge the thoughts & intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). This week, I was reminded how God’s Word is alive…today! It can be a fountain of joy and energy to strengthen and nourish us where & when we need it most! In response, I was encouraged once again to find comfort straight from the Scriptures in these Gospel themed anthems. Would you join me in listening to this week’s playlist, “Songs of Scripture?”

Recently Jeremy Clark, Executive Director of Grace Ministries International, interviewed missionaries Ted Rabnold in Tanzania and Cory Hodgson in Paraguay. Frontline Bible Church sends monthly support to the Hodgson family. Tune in as they talk about their life and ministries during this time of pandemic. Interview with Cory Hodgson and Ted Rabnold.