My young friend was in a hard place. He was newly married and had no job. A deeply committed believer, he was struggling with God. Many times he cried out to Him. “God, what are you doing in my life? Am I doing something wrong? Why aren’t you leading me?” Thorough self- examination provided no answers. He was simply stuck.
A talented woman became President of a new company. She had a seminary degree and a love of teaching. She knew virtually nothing about business. But now she found herself running a company. Totally out of her comfort zone she cried out to the Lord, “What are you doing? Why am I here? What purpose do you have in this?” What am I supposed to learn?” There were no clear answers.
Sometimes we can work ourselves up into a frenzy trying to figure out what God is doing and why. And then we realize: It is really none of my business what God is up to. He is God and He does not have to explain himself to me. My job is to be faithful in whatever place He has put me for this season.
Sometimes we can fall into the trap of taking our spiritual temperature too often. Of asking, “How am I doing with the Lord?” Of worrying if I’m pleasing Him, if I’m making the right decision. Today there’s a lot of emphasis on calling, on discovering and using our gifts. While this is good, we must be cautious that we don’t become too self-focused in trying to figure it all out. If we get too introspective, we can lose our joy and our peace.
Oswald Chambers says, “The continual grubbing on the inside to see whether we are what we ought to be generates a self-centered, morbid type of Christianity, not the robust simple life of a child of God.” (My Utmost For His Highest, entry for June 21)
When I am really honest with myself, I realize that I just want to be God, to fix me and to fix everyone around me. But that’s not my job. It’s His. Sometimes what God is up to isn’t really any of my concern. Even what He is up to in my life. I’m His problem not mine. Often I just need to lighten up and let go. And wait. Too much self-analysis can lead to the sin of trying to play God in my own life, a gruesome self-focus. I pray, “Lord please deliver me and John and all of our children and grandchildren from a morbid self- focus.”
Be alert to having your eyes looking at yourself through magnifying glasses rather than at the Lord.
I have to remember that I am where I am with His permission. If I’m seeking Him, confessing my sins, and spending time in His word, He will reveal to me what He’s up to in His time and in His way. Meanwhile, He may be simply saying “rest.” Wait and be alert to whatever He may want to teach you which may be totally unrelated to the issue at hand.
“Call unto me and I will answer you, and tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”
Jeremiah 33:3 ESV
Excerpted from Risky Faith by Susan Yates
Vinicius Rabelo says
I’ve struggled so much being an introspective person, and I still do. Thank God, I’m better now.
I like to be in control of everything, always thinking in all possibilities and anticipating things. But we can’t control everything.
Sometimes it turns into paranoia or something. I used to overthink what people thought about me and what I said and done.
I believe that happens when people are bigger than God in our lives. When we stop putting Him at first in everything, having faith in His purpose in our lives. We ought to fear only Him who have the power to destroy not only the body, but the spirit too.
Lynda Stiles says
Susan, you don’t know how much I needed to read this today. The message really pierced my heart.
Jodie Berndt says
Love love love this. Thank you, Susan! Great reminder to live and love as a child…and stop trying to be God! Xo
April says
Thank you! I needed this! I’ve felt stuck and I’ve been too introspective about it. Trying to play God and fix it, solve it etc. This is a reminder that I’m not God, God doesn’t owe me an explanation and job is to trust Him.
Jackie Shrum says
Whew – good reminder Susan. We are so self-focused these days we do sometimes think we are God or, at least, that He needs our help.
Fran says
A terrific reminder- and it takes someone outside of me to lovingly show me when I am in this muddy pit of self examination–reminding me of His Grace to simply laugh and give it to God. Again. And again. And again.
Joy Hunter says
Just what I needed to hear. Thanks, Susan.