Whether I hear it in casual conversation or in the Counseling Room, my spiritual antenna rise when I hear anyone say, “It’s complicated.” The reason is because of a simple principle I learned early in my walk with Jesus:
When life seems complicated sin is often there. Sin tends to complicate, but God always clarifies!
When we sin and we make excuses for our sin (placing blame on someone or something else); or when we are overwhelmed by the sin of others, we loose our spiritual objectivity. However, when we prayerfully ask God for the clarity we are lacking, the insight may not come immediately but He always delivers according to His perfect will. Here’s a personal example:
On the morning of September 11, 2001 I was living on the east coast of the US. It was a beautiful day full of promise until the unthinkable happened; four planes carrying innocent men, women and children were crashed in order to snuff out the lives of even more innocent people. Everything stopped that day, as airplanes across the country were grounded and people were riveted to watching their television screens as the magnitude of what had happened unfolded.
I remember praying throughout that day, begging God for help in processing all I saw. As Christians, how are we to respond when overcome by such evil? I struggled the entire day as I tried to make sense of the chaos; it all seemed so complicated . . . . Late that night I finally turned off the television; it seemed as if all light and hope had been snuffed out as I headed upstairs to my bed. It wasn’t until I pulled back the covers to get into bed that God’s answer penetrated my mind and heart: “‘Hate what is evil, cling to what is good.’ God is good.” I was stunned as God’s answer penetrated my heart. “Hate what is evil, cling to what is good” is a verse from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans (12:9b). The reminder that “God is good” flooded my heart and mind with hope that night, as I trusted that no matter how darkly complicated life seemed, God’s goodness would prevail.
That is why when life appears to be complicated by extenuating factors, I run to my Bible for the perspective I need. How about you? No matter how complicated your life is, the principle is the same: Where sin complicates, God clarifies. Are you unsure about where to begin? Pray . . . ask God for clarity into what seems complicated. Then, open up your Bible to Romans 12 as a starting point. As you read, ask God for a teachable heart and a willingness to surrender those complications to Him. Expect good things to happen as God grants you clarity in order to free you to serve Him better. If you don’t find your answer there in Romans, continue to pray and entrust yourself to God as the Shepherd of your heart. Let me know what happens!
All to His Glory!
HisGlory SM 