I’ve noticed that our world is full of those described in the New Testament…lovers of themselves. It’s a pervasive quality among every person. It’s twisted our ability to see clearly. Even our preachers often preach from a self-love perspective. It’s crazy. We must actively fight against it to break free.
We as fallen humans are naturally selfish…you’ll never convince me otherwise.
Here’s what I’ve learned…my life stinks when it’s all about me…it’s full when it’s about our family as a whole.
Selfishness breeds discontent.
Faking generosity and grace as a mask for desiring to control everything is so detrimental to our relationships.
The best way to live life is to let it go. Meaning, let God take the wheel and resist the urge to get involved in things that are not to be our concern.
Just last weekend, something happened, and I took it to Chris because I knew he was the one who should deal with it. After telling him what was happening, I had a choice, demand to know how he was planning to deal with it or give it to God and trust. I chose to trust. It was a deliberate choice and carried intentional action on my part…staying out of something that was none of my business. And guess what? It worked itself out perfectly. Chris didn’t need me to tell him what to do. He needed freedom to be a man and take charge without my interference.
Is this possibly hitting a nerve?
There have been times in my life when it would’ve. Now I’m desperate to lay low. Stay out of God’s way.
I’ve seen too many instances in my life and the lives I observe around me, when people just cannot seem to get themselves out of God’s way and things get messy and prolonged and damage relationships they have.
That’s a price I’m unwilling to pay.
When we want to control everything, we are essentially saying, “It’s all about me”. This is 100% true.
Having a controlling nature is exhausting to everyone around you. It’s completely self-centered and prideful…and often masquerades as being helpful and gracious toward others.
We should often examine ourselves. Our hearts are deceptive. It’s only through allowing God unfettered access and consistently checking in with Him that we can learn to live free…and let our lives be all about Him and not all about us.
Today I challenge you to be honest with yourself. Whenever a circumstance happens, are you compelled to let everyone know the “right” way to handle it? Are you compelled to know absolutely everything about everything and everyone? These are just two of the indicators…but let’s start there.
If these describe you, I truly encourage you to invite the Lord to speak to you about what it is that you fear. Why do you feel the need to know everything? Why do you feel that people can’t handle things without your input?
Ask honestly and then allow God to pour His truth over your heart. Today is a brand new day. A great day to begin again.
Then He said to them all: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:23-24
365 Days in the Presence 