Honestly

Honestly

Are you honest with God about your struggles, about the feelings and thoughts you have in the midst of those struggles? Do you express joy and gladness for Who God is in the midst of your trials AND in the midst of your blessings?

Do you have an Esther attitude, a NO MATTER WHAT heart toward God as it relates to all of life? Is there anything in your soul, in your spirit, that you can possible hide from God? Is there any thought or feeling which you could have that would surprise or shock God?

One of the most calming things in my heart and life is the knowledge that God's Word gives me related to how I can and am permitted to communicate with Him. In a word: honestly.

Reading the Old Testament has given me numerous glimpses of God: Father God, Abba interacting with His people, His sometimes silly, often confused, wayward, disobedient, evil children.

Over and over we see Him responding to their honest cries, pleas, demands, whining, complaining as a Father to His children. He answers them right where they are and then, in grace, truth and love, He does what is best for them...even if it's painful and hard.

Job is an excellent example of this relationship with FATHER GOD. Just read chapter 10. In verse one, Job freely complains and tells God he is disgusted with his life. He speaks in the bitterness of His soul to the God he worshipped, reverenced and adored. And guess what - God heard him! Wow!! And just think, the same ear that was tuned into Job is tuned to you and me.

Also consider reading Psalm 13. In this Psalm David is honestly communicating with God, earnestly seeking God to hear and see him.
Dear sister, if your soul and/or spirit is troubled today, go to God with it. Pour your heart out to Him, sit still and listen to what He will faithfully speak to your spirit.

Stephanie Paul is Director of Women's Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK

"This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."
~~1 John 1:5-71

1 www.biblegateway.com