We’ve all been there.
That moment when someone gets the job you wanted…
The house you wanted…
The spouse you wanted…
The friend you wanted…
The baby you wanted…
We’ve all faced moments when someone else gets a blessing in life that we hoped for.
Havilah Cunnington1 says that, ultimately, there is a bitter root underneath comparison.
If you look at what is behind your comparison you might find a belief that says something along the lines of:
- God has blessed them and not me.
- God is good… but not to me.
- God is holding out on me.
Comparison can make you harbour untruths about who God is in your heart.
Here is the thing: We may know that God is good.
We may tell ourselves all of the bible verses about God’s goodness. Our head-knowledge regarding God’s grace and mercy might be excellent.
Maybe you are someone who can quote parts of the bible from memory.
But, if you and I are constantly comparing ourselves our hearts can carry hurts that scream:
- God you’ve let me down.
- God, you’ve given them my blessing.
- God you haven’t come through for me, like you did for them.
I said in my last post that it is so important to confess comparison to God.
And now I want to say, it is also equally important to forgive and release God for those moments where you think He hasn’t pulled through for you.
Those moments where you think He’s let you down.
It feels like He’s… dare I say it… failed.
(Just to be clear: God hasn’t actually done anything wrong. He is sovereign and perfect and does not need our forgiveness at all. God has not failed or let you down.)
Yet, if you feel like He has let you down, you can’t just go on pretending that you are O.K with Him.
You’ve got to be honest here. If there is hurt in your heart: Please. Let. It. Out.
In my last post I looked at the book of James and explored the first 4 verses.
In this post I want to look at James 1: 5:
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
James 1: 5 – 8, NIV.
Wisdom.
In my Amplified Bible Study notes it says this about wisdom:
The starting point for wisdom is genuine reverence for the Almighty and a steadfast confidence that God controls all circumstances, guiding them to His good purpose.
Ouch! You and I cannot access the wisdom of God if we have hurt our hearts towards Him.
Reverence is to have a deep, profound respect for someone. But can I really have deep and profound respect for someone when I believe they have hurt me? Can I listen to them if I’m still holding onto that hurt?
When we keep hold of anger, frustration, disappointment towards God then we block ourselves from receiving His wisdom for our lives.
Some of us might be pleading out to God for an answer; yet we cannot access His answer when we have hurt in our hearts towards Him.
Focus on these words for a sec: when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.
This is not some hippy manifestation rule that James is talking about. It’s not a case of thinking about what you want God to do, until it comes true.
This is about coming before the Lord God Almighty; fully trusting that He is good and all-knowing. Then, asking Him for some of His divine knowledge in your own life.
Whatever that may look like. Whether you like it, or not-so-much.
Last night, one line from a kids song spun round and round my head:
“At the wedding down in Cana there was chaos in the kitchen – DISASTER – they ran out of wine!”
(Song by Dave Godfrey.)
That line spun round my head until eventually I turned to my bible, and read the story of Jesus turning water into wine found in John 2.
The story goes:
- Jesus was invited to a wedding, with His mother and his disciples.
- The bride and groom ran out of wine.
- Jesus’ mother (Mary) tells Jesus that they have run out of wine.
- Jesus says it’s got nothing to do with me.
And then Mary says this:
“His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
John 2: 5 AMP.
Whatever He says, do it.
Y’all know the ending: Jesus tells the servants to fill six stone waterpots with water and draw out a glass for the master of the wedding. Of course, the master sips the water-turned-wine and delights in the fact that it is the very best wine he has ever tasted.
In other words: A miracle happens.
You and I cannot get to the place where a miracle happens if we feel like the miracle-worker has not come through for us.
We don’t want to become double-minded. One foot believing Jesus and following His path and the other sliding backwards towards our favourite sin – the one thing we lean to in order to comfort our wounded souls.
We need Jesus. We need our perfect, kind saviour. Our all-knowing, never-failing God. Our ever-personal Holy Spirit comforter.
So today I suggest:
- Grab a pen and paper.
- Write down all the ways you feel disappointed, hurt and just plain mad at God.
- Tell God that you are sorry for holding onto this unforgiveness and these untruths.
- Make a choice to stop holding these things against Him.
- Remind yourself of the truth…
God is good. His love never fails. He has a plan for your life. He will not give up on you. He will not let you down.
Footnotes
bethcoppenhall.com 