Tag: truth

God Wins.

On By MitchenersIn Angela6 Comments

Recently, someone hurt my feelings. Hah! Now that some time has passed, I can objectively say that the comments uttered to my face were not meant to be a huge malignment of my character. However, the words spoken were based on assumptions about my intentions, and to be honest, the interaction stung a bit. Sadly, I’ve been replaying those words a little too often in my mind – even stacking them on top of other unthoughtful comments from previous conversations.

And then, a reality check.

Yesterday, my heart broke as I learned the news that the rest of America is buzzing about: Charlie Kirk’s death. Suddenly, my little problem – being hurt because someone tried to “put me in my place” without actually knowing my heart – seemed so small. I’ve experienced criticisms and more, but never death threats, much less an attempt on my life. I cannot fathom how Erika and Charlie’s two children will walk this painful path in the coming days.

Proverbs 19:22 says, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”

This little nugget of wisdom has been a support for me today as I buckle under the sad reality of the state of our country. Our forefathers founded the colonies 250 years ago so that their children’s children could worship God all the days of their lives – not murder each other because of fits of rage or differing ideologies/political views.

Like David did in so many of his psalms, I’m praying that justice will be served now. That evil will be squelched today. That God and His character will not be maligned any longer.

I’m not exactly sure what it looks like for the Lord’s purpose to prevail this side of heaven. Sometimes, it feels like He’s being so silent in the face of evil. But the comforting truth is that God wins in the end. I rest in the fact that His timing is perfect.

Ultimately, every knee will bow before Him. Oh, the harvest is ripe! May I continue to see those around me as human beings, made in God’s image and in desperate need of Him. And may I always find ways to courageously share the Good News of the abundant life available in Jesus Christ.

Exchanging Lies for the Truth

On By MitchenersIn Angela2 Comments

Those first two weeks back after furlough were difficult for me. I was discouraged in the classroom. I was exhausted at home. I didn’t feel like I was doing anything right. I was yelling at my kids. I wasn’t spending time with my husband. I wasn’t disciplining well at home or at school.

Why was I struggling so much? I realized that I had been listening to some lies – lies that I had allowed to enter my thought life and poison the very way I was looking at the world. So these past few days, I’ve decided to think through those falsehoods and combat them with the only thing I know that can obliterate them from my mind. I’ve decided to exchange those lies for the Truth.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Lie. You’re not meant for this teaching business.
Truth. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

Lie? No one enjoys being in your classroom.
Truth. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…  Colossians 3:23 

Lie. You’ll never be organized. You’re not creative enough. Your Spanish isn’t good enough. You’re just not enough.
Truth. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Lie. There’s too much pressure. This is too hard.
Truth. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Lie. Your personality isn’t “strong” enough to do this.
Truth.  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Lie. You shouldn’t have to deal with these problems. Look at all you’ve given up for the Lord!
Truth. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 

Lie. You’re the only one who is going through difficult circumstances right now. No one understands what it’s like to be in your shoes.
Truth. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

Lie. These kids are never going to learn. You’re just beating a dead horse.
Truth. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

I’m looking forward to a week with different perspectives. Lord, help me to take every thought captive!

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(So Nancy Leigh DeMoss wrote this amazing book called Lies Women Believe.  I realized halfway through writing this post that I “stole” her format. No intent to plagiarize here. I recommend that book, by the way. And… the end.)