Word for Today, Wed, 5 Dec 2001: The Battle for Acceptance
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Many of us battle our entire lives in the "Search for
Significance". We have faced one discouragement after another,
seeking acceptance and significance. I would argue that if we
seek for significance in the way that most people in the world
do, we are likely to be defeated in battle many times.
I have faced those kinds of battles before myself and lost
miserably. I have attempted to control my surroundings. That
doesn't work. "Well then, what DOES work?" you might ask.
I think a good understanding of scripture will help lead to an
accurate answer to that question. You see, we are bound by a set
of false beliefs, things we have come to believe about ourselves
that simply are not true.
For those of us who get discouraged, we may think privately,
"I'll never get that right". "This is a losing battle, why keep
trying". "If I just try a little harder, maybe I can do it".
Each of those statements may contain an element of truth, but
each one of them has an underlying false belief. You see, it is
not our own strength or effort that makes us significant. Our
significance comes from the One who made all things. To Him,
each person, even the most "unclean", is precious in His sight!
Our God thought so much of us that He sent an ambassador, a
Savior, His own flesh and blood, His Son, to live with us,
identify with us, endure every battle and discouragement that we
face, to live and to die, as an atoning sacrifice - that means a
sacrifice that takes care of, covers, pays for in full,
completely accounts for every blemish, limitation, fault, and
failure that we face or ever will face. Jesus paid it all.
I am deeply loved, fully accepted, and completely forgiven. That
is my identity because of Jesus Christ!
...and that's why I praise Him
That's why I sing
That's why I offer Him my EVERYTHING
That's why I bow down and worship this King
'Cause He's given everything! (YES, He has!)
Christ has given everything.
(my adaptation of a popular praise and worship chorus)
Your Brother in Christ,
Brian
Reply-to: Neil Anderson <neilanderson@lists.crosswalk.com>
Subject: Neil Anderson Devotional for Wednesday, December 5, 2001
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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries
December 5
GIVING IN TO THE SYSTEM
And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but
choice and precious in the sight of God (1 Peter 2:4).
"Pastor, I'm a loser," a high school boy told me dejectedly. He
explained that he wanted to be a star football player, but had
been cut from the team. Instead of being in the spotlight as an
athlete, he had to settle for being a member of the pep band. And
compared to star quarterbacks, clarinet players were losers at
his school.
The largest group of people today respond to rejection like this
boy did: by simply giving in to the system. They continue their
efforts to try to earn approval, but the inevitable rejection by
others prompts them to believe that they really are unlovable and
rejectable. The system says that the best, the strongest, the
most beautiful, and the most talented are "in." Those who don't
fit those categories--which includes most of us--are "out," and
we succumb to society's false judgment of our worth. As a result,
a large segment of the population is plagued by feelings of
worthlessness, inferiority and self-condemnation.
This person may have trouble relating to God. If he blames God
for his state, it will be difficult to trust Him. "You made me a
lowly clarinet player instead of a star quarterback," he
complains. "If I trust You with other areas of my life, how do I
know You won't make me a loser there too?"
By giving in to the system's false judgment, this person can only
look forward to more and more rejection. He has bought the lie
and he even rejects himself. Therefore, any success or acceptance
which comes his way will be questioned or doubted on the basis of
what he already believes about himself.
God has not equally distributed gifts, talents or intelligence,
but He has equally distributed Himself. Our sense of worth comes
from knowing who we are as children of God. "See how great a love
the Father has bestowed upon us, that we should be called
children of God; and such we are" (1 John 3:1).
Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me the way You have and
for making me Your child. I find my worth in You.
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--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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