Clearing Hurdles (3)

Closing The Gap

I have spoken many times over this series regarding isolation and its dangers, but this morning I want to encourage you.

To get closer to God you need to understand that getting close to God is uncomfortable at times. To draw close to God you have to lose more of yourself. The closer you are to the light the less darkness there is. But you have a choice to make in the discomfort.

Satan will use the discomfort to destroy you and repel you from the presence of God. Satan will tell you how horrible you are and how dirty you are. How unworthy you are. How tired you are. How much God doesn’t care about you. But we know this isn’t true. The bible tells us that God disciplines those he loves. When we get uncomfortable it’s God challenging a behavior that is separating us from Him. He is showing you how to get closer and Satan is trying to use it to put a wedge in your relationship with Him.

So How do we close the gap. How do we press into God when we are either to tired, to ashamed or feeling like God is the source of all your problems.

1. Expose the truth.

Ephesians 5:13 NKJV

13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

The subject of the sentence here is all things.

The term made manifest by the light mens that everyone’s true intentions— or all truths will be exposed. When Jesus confronted the Pharisees they didn’t become mean, manipulative, and murderous rather their true identity was seen in the light of exposure. The light manifested their attitude. If you want to become closer to God than you original motives will manifest or show.

This isn’t to shame you, but rather it’s so that you can see the truth and, with God’s help, replace the attitude.

The light in this sentence is the word of God. Realistically Jesus. Jesus is the word.

2. Give God Your Burden

It’s ok to be tired. It’s ok to be angry. It’s ok to question why God allowed something to happen, but you must be truthful.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

The hardest part of my relationship with my wife is admitting I did something wrong or admitting that something she did hurt me. I don’t like to talk about my feelings. I can counsel other people. I can walk other people through issues, but I have a major avoidance issue when it comes to my own issue. The problem with that when we don’t acknowledge our feelings or our pain they become weapons in Satan’s arsonal.

anxiety-The state of being pulled apart

Jesus’ entire mission was to take broken people and make them whole. Why do we cast our cares on Him…simply because he cares. Hidden pain will destroy you. Which is why I believe this next one firmly.

3. Find your Titus

2 Corinthians 7:5–6 (ESV)

5 For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within.

6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus,

Moses had Aaron, David had Jonathon, Jesus Had Peter, James, and John.

The Key to overcoming your battle is in your relationships.

Proverbs 13:20 ESV

20 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

In order to grow, change behaviors, or overcome difficult times you need to challenge your thinking. The best way to challenge your thinking is to grow your social circles. Many times when we feel persecuted or challenged we will desire to find people of like mind, those who agree with us. We look for people with the same hurts, with the same attitudes, with the same suffering. But it isn’t those who agree with us that will help us grow it is those who disagree with us that help us to grow.

We are instructed in the bible

1. To share our sin with one another. (James 5:16)

2. Stir each other to good works (Hebrews 10:24)

3. Exhort (encourage) one another (Hebrews 3:12)

4. Where two or 3 are gathered He is there (Matthew 18:19)

5. Pray for you (James 5:14)