Unbelief

2 Corinthians 5:6-10

6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Examine / Explain

Remember, as long as we are still living on earth in this present state, we will have trouble, and we long for a time to be with the Lord. We have to see past what is in our current vision. We must see the eternal and have the ambition and courage to pursue Christ, for we will all one day appear before Him on the bema seat. We will be judged for our actions. Will we be good and faithful servants or not?

How do I apply this to my life?

Life is full of struggles. I need to find joy in those struggles. I fell beat down from those hard times that were guaranteed. But why do I struggle for joy in these times? Why is it hard to hold my head up and say I am walking by faith? I know the Lord has me in this moment. Do I? Obviously, my belief system is lacking at the moment. My head is fully aware that God is in complete control of everything. I also am keenly aware that my actions and deeds have consequences. So, is my expectation for God to rescue me from my pains and trials so that I will be comfortable? I know that not to be true. What lesson will I learn from all these things? What lesson have I missed and am just repeating the same cycle repeatedly until I understand? Am I being a good steward of what He has given me? Am I a good and faithful servant of the Lord God? I know my sin. I know where I fall short. So does He. I may appear put together or something. But I am a simple, broken man on this rock. I fall short like everyone else. But where is my ambition? Is it to please the Lord? Or is it to comfort myself? The age-old struggle of flesh and spirit. Who’s winning?

What is my response?

Father, You say that I can ask to help my unbelief. I’m sure that it is really unbelief, but I know I am struggle with my joy in the trials. I’m feeling kicked while I am down. But then my eyes turn to eternity, and I question, “is this really that bad?” Is it hard for me right now? Yes! Would I rather it be easy or different circumstances? Absolutely! But it’s not. So be thankful that in the situation, whether self-inflicted or a broken world, my God is with me. You are next to me the whole time. Have I turned to You? Before asking for guidance. During, desiring to know that in the moment someone cares. My humanity as a man wants to know at this exact moment of success or failure, I am significant. Because isn’t that the issue? I feel like I’m failing, Lord. Mainly, my family and I want to know I’m still significant if I can’t do it all. I try to do it all. At what sacrifice? Is the sacrifice for people or You? That is where I need to be looking for my value. In You! Help me see that, always. Amen.