November 30, 2011 · 6:00 am
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don’t go fake it till you make it

I’m so thankful that God remembers we’re just a vapor — just dust on the ground apart from His gracious breath of life.

The other day I needed to know that He remembered my humanity. It had been a rough one. I had little patience left for the mounting whines and the stack of dirty dishes growing crustier by the second.

My man got home and I near begged him for a few minutes away. Actually I insisted that I go for a run, “For my sanity, I need to breathe.” I tied on my familiar shoes and threaded my earbuds through my sleeve. Then I stepped out into a comfortable November evening.

And as I ran, I vented to Him.

We can’t fake this Christian thing for very long. It just doesn’t work. Granted, I can put on a smile and sweeten my voice yet inside be aching. But that’s not the point of this Christian life. It’s designed to be more. Jesus died and rose that we would live in abundance.

After I vented to Him, I confessed. I agreed with Him that my attitude had taken a dive. And according to His Word, I knew that if I confessed then He forgave and cleansed.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

 

After confessing, I started declaring true things about His character and His promises. (Reason number 843 why we need to memorize Scripture: It’s difficult to carry a Bible on a therapeutic run.)

I quoted one of my favorite verses about the fruit of His Spirit being love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) And, by faith, I asked for His filling. He proved gracious.

When I stepped back into our home thirty minutes later not much had changed circumstantially. The dishes still needed washing and the kids still wanted a variety of things, but I had changed. He had lifted my spirit.

I’m glad He remembers we’re dust. I’m thankful He graciously cleanses when we come to Him with all our mess. Faking it won’t do us any good. Abundant living flows as we press into Him when our frail humanity insists upon rising up.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Isaiah 40:29

 

Fill me, Lord…

How do you personally press into Him when your soul gets messy?

15 Comments

Filed under daily filling, keeping it real, prayer that changes things, the thought life, they call me mama

  • Anonymous

    Lara. How I appreciate this today. It’s been a long week here of venting and messy souls, my attitude has needed adjusting for a while now. Thank you for this word of encouragement. I needed this. Xo

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      Life is plain hard sometimes. Remembering with you the only Real solution. Trusting His great grace to be sufficient. Love to you, sweet friend.

  • Aubrey Barela

    Have you been spying into my house and have seen the “not so pretty” going on? As well as me faking it. Loved this. Perfect timing as I am about to start a new day. I definitely having been living or experiencing the abundant life He has for me. Oh and I too have begged and pleaded for many of runs to just get out and have some breathing room. It’s my number one stress reliever:) Thanks for your words today friend.

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      Sometimes I guess we have to fake it just so we don’t hurt someone. ;) And our feelings don’t always line up with truth. But I’m with you. Believing Him to fill us full so we reflect Him even in the midst of the messy. Hugs, friend.

  • Anonymous

    Loved this for many reasons. The not faking it part, the fact that you made it so plain that He hears us when we need to make that attitude change, that scripture prompts and our confessing leads to healing. Thank you! So good!

  • Anonymous

    Loved this for many reasons. The not faking it part, the fact that you made it so plain that He hears us when we need to make that attitude change, that scripture prompts and our confessing leads to healing. Thank you! So good!

  • Anonymous

    First time visitor, This has Blessed me this morning…Thank You! Look forward to reading more!

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Caroline-Brown-Kolbet/1405655919 Caroline Brown Kolbet

    I’ve been pressing into Him for 2 days! I got sucked into gossip and it did not feel right, kind, or necessary! But it took me a long 2 days to figure it out & to continually give it to Him; asking for forgiveness. Because what it boils down to, is that it’s none of my business!

    • http://www.larawilliams.org Lara Gibson Williams

      I love that you said this, Caroline. Sometimes the change to our souls happens in thirty minutes, but many times it takes longer. But He faithfully blesses our pressing into Him. He faithfully blesses the repentent heart. Praying for a renewal of your spirit today.

  • Em

    Awesome. Just awesome. So thankful for you, dear friend. You always point me in the right direction ;)

  • Love and Lollipops

    Hi there,

    After reading this, I mailed it to every girlfriend I know on my mailing list…don’t we all just struggle with the same stuff! What a good reminder to rest in HIM!

    Thank you for always sharing such great stuff. I absolutely love your blog…your inspiration.

    Georgia :)

  • http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com Traci

    Amen! I love this! Thank you… Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations

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