Do My Peeps Know My Mess?
What should I do when I'm feeling stressed, overwhelmed, triggered, or spiraling? It's often easier to recognize when someone else is struggling, but when it comes to ourselves, we might feel trapped in a hamster wheel and find it hard to step off. The effort to break free from this cycle can feel like more than we have the energy to handle. As a result, we may hold on to the drama of our situation, clinging to our wounds instead of allowing them to heal. I wish I could say that whenever my world feels unsteady, I instinctively turn to God's Word, absorb it fully, and then move on. However, we often reach for substitutes in search of relief, such as therapy, alcohol, shopping, money, venting sessions, food, lack of food, pornography, social media, novels, or maybe even the Bible. Ideally, at some point, we do turn to the Bible.
As we close out our journey through Corinthians, my compassion has grown immensely for the people of Corinth because we all have “stuff.” Theirs were simply documented for us to learn from. I've also realized that it matters whom we follow and who influences us, just as much as it matters who we choose to do life with. The Corinthians had Paul giving them literal directives and corrections. How often do we find ourselves in similar situations, feeling stuck on a hamster wheel or caught in a spiral, wishing someone would clearly outline a way to get back on track, just like Paul did?
After Paul provided a list of leaders for the Corinthians to be aware of, he urged them, "I also urge you to submit to such people and to everyone who works and labors with them." (1 Cor. 16:16) He emphasized, "They have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, recognize such people." (1 Cor. 16:18) Paul wasn’t the only individual to invest in this group of people. As he left, he was planning for those coming in behind him to instill hope in the people he was leaving behind. He wanted them to know that they wouldn't be left to fend for themselves and that support would be available. In a sense, he was urging them to stay on the right path, reassuring them that help was on the way, while also reminding them to be mindful of their inclinations and tendencies.
It is just as important for us to have integrity as it is for the leaders we follow and those we choose to walk alongside. Trusting others to point out our limitations is vital because, at times, we may not recognize our own weaknesses. Additionally, we might struggle to find our path to freedom. There may come a day—if you haven’t already encountered it—when you find yourself caught in a difficult situation, feeling lost and unable to find a solution. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemies and need to be humble enough to allow someone close to us to reach out and pull us back from that spiraling chaos. This can help us return to a place where we can truly hear and see clearly.
If you don’t have this perspective, you’re in for a treat in our next series as we explore the story of the prodigal son, focusing on the key characters: the father, the older son, and the prodigal son. Take some time to reflect on your role in these dynamics. Are you the one who runs away, moving from one dramatic situation to the next? Do you find comfort in being self-centered, focusing solely on your needs and desires, wanting everything right now? Or perhaps you relate more to the responsible older brother, who judges others for their mistakes without realizing that you’re caught in a similar cycle and avoiding your own responsibilities. Maybe you’re the friend who reaches out to others, but do you have anyone reaching out to you?
With all that said, we all have things—both healthy and unhealthy ones. Even healthy behaviors can become unhealthy if they are out of priority and not under the Holy Spirit's covering in our lives. As we move into this next series and prepare for Easter on the horizon, let’s remember, as we leave Corinthians, that Paul's heart was always focused on reconciliation to Jesus for all people. This includes the call for ALL sons to return to the Father as we explore the story of the Prodigal.
As we close out our journey through Corinthians, my compassion has grown immensely for the people of Corinth because we all have “stuff.” Theirs were simply documented for us to learn from. I've also realized that it matters whom we follow and who influences us, just as much as it matters who we choose to do life with. The Corinthians had Paul giving them literal directives and corrections. How often do we find ourselves in similar situations, feeling stuck on a hamster wheel or caught in a spiral, wishing someone would clearly outline a way to get back on track, just like Paul did?
After Paul provided a list of leaders for the Corinthians to be aware of, he urged them, "I also urge you to submit to such people and to everyone who works and labors with them." (1 Cor. 16:16) He emphasized, "They have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore, recognize such people." (1 Cor. 16:18) Paul wasn’t the only individual to invest in this group of people. As he left, he was planning for those coming in behind him to instill hope in the people he was leaving behind. He wanted them to know that they wouldn't be left to fend for themselves and that support would be available. In a sense, he was urging them to stay on the right path, reassuring them that help was on the way, while also reminding them to be mindful of their inclinations and tendencies.
It is just as important for us to have integrity as it is for the leaders we follow and those we choose to walk alongside. Trusting others to point out our limitations is vital because, at times, we may not recognize our own weaknesses. Additionally, we might struggle to find our path to freedom. There may come a day—if you haven’t already encountered it—when you find yourself caught in a difficult situation, feeling lost and unable to find a solution. Sometimes, we can be our own worst enemies and need to be humble enough to allow someone close to us to reach out and pull us back from that spiraling chaos. This can help us return to a place where we can truly hear and see clearly.
If you don’t have this perspective, you’re in for a treat in our next series as we explore the story of the prodigal son, focusing on the key characters: the father, the older son, and the prodigal son. Take some time to reflect on your role in these dynamics. Are you the one who runs away, moving from one dramatic situation to the next? Do you find comfort in being self-centered, focusing solely on your needs and desires, wanting everything right now? Or perhaps you relate more to the responsible older brother, who judges others for their mistakes without realizing that you’re caught in a similar cycle and avoiding your own responsibilities. Maybe you’re the friend who reaches out to others, but do you have anyone reaching out to you?
With all that said, we all have things—both healthy and unhealthy ones. Even healthy behaviors can become unhealthy if they are out of priority and not under the Holy Spirit's covering in our lives. As we move into this next series and prepare for Easter on the horizon, let’s remember, as we leave Corinthians, that Paul's heart was always focused on reconciliation to Jesus for all people. This includes the call for ALL sons to return to the Father as we explore the story of the Prodigal.
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1 Comment
Great devotion!!