Friday, April 19, 2013 -- Change Me From The Inside Out (2)

Relationship difficulties have often cut away at our hearts from the time we were very young.  For many of us our addictive lifestyle was an expression of the inner pain and anger we felt in response to these disappointments and difficulties.  We were hurt and harmed and we ran to substances and practices that we thought would provide comfort and pleasure.  Instead these things brought more pain and shame because the vicious cycle of disappointments and difficulties continued.

To get well we must examine our lives and behaviours.  We do that on the basis of God's word about what is right and good.  As we learn God's ways, we make a sincere and prayerful inventory of our behaviours -- how we have spoken against our family members and friends, how we have done them wrong by manipulating them, treating them without consideration or respect, repeatedly breaking promises, and countless other expressions of harm. 

In order to move into a lifestyle of living well, we have to establish new habits of integrity, kindness, and respect.  Our default position is lying, cheating, stealing and other expressions of self-interest.  When we don’t like things in a relationship we easily say angry words, make a sarcastic comment, tell someone else what a jerk the other person is, criticize or blame.  Are we entirely ready to let go all these expressions of anger and lashing out that have been our tools of coping for many years?  Are we prepared to have God challenge every bad thought and negative word we think or speak towards another person, regardless of the situation?  

It seems an impossible task, a standard that no one can attain.  It is.  King David knew it well and he wrote, “The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks after God.  But no,  all have turned away from God;  all have become corrupt.  No one does good, not even one!”  (Psalm 14:2-3 NLT)

Fortunately King David had a solution and so do we.  Like King David did, we can ask God to help us get rid of all our defects of character. “Wash me clean from my guilt.  Purify me from my sin.  For I recognize my my rebellion it haunts me day and night.  Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;  I have done what is evil in your sight … Create in me a clean heart, O God.  Renew a right spirit within me.”  (Psalm 51:2-4, 10 NLT)