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Jul232010

Turning Up The Heat

DateFriday, July 23, 2010 at 08:11PM

As long as I have been alive, I have been an emotional person.  On some levels, being emotionally driven has had it's benefits; helping me to connect deeply with others, having understanding and compassion on some levels, really enjoying the good times in life, etc.  However, the flip-side has been anything but beneficial.  I cringe to think about the past life-situations that I have made a complete mess of because I was lead by my emotions.  It's so convicting to realize the extent of the damage I have done to past relationships because I allowed what I was feeling in the moment to determine my words and actions.  As I get older, I'm starting to accept the fact that "emotional idolatry" is something that I will probably be battling until the day I die.  

  Recently, around the time we first found out we were pregnant, I started praying to God that he help me to "stable out" emotionally.  As I'm sure many of you can attest to in your own lives, God answered that prayer by "turning up the heat" (i.e. creating challenges in which I had to choose not to allow my emotions to take over.)  Within a 1 1/2 month period it seemed like everything was going haywire: my pregnant wife started getting sick every day and was operating at about 40%, leaving me to handle most of the household details, including shopping and meals. I received a call that my mom was ill and, after years of living a self-destructive lifestyle, probably wasn't going to live another month; I had to move her from Orange County to North Hollywood and take over power of attorney. I was essentially betrayed by a close personal friend that I had invested in heavily, had to deal with sudden ministry changes and had a guy I was studying the Bible with, after getting all the way through, decide not to become a Christian.  All the while still trying to work, lead a ministry and stay in Bible studies. Whew!  Not that this was the first time that I had been challenged in life, but that all of these things were happening at once...  You know how it is.  The world doesn't stop spinning just because we're faced with difficulties.  In fact, it almost feels like it spins faster.

In hearing all this, you might be tempted to feel sorry for me, or immediately put the blame on Satan, but don't. This has actually been a great time of character growth for me.  Don't get me wrong, I haven't responded perfectly to every situation every time, but the victory is that I have not allowed the pressure to cave me in.  For a natural born quitter, that's saying a lot.  And sure, Satan, being the opportunist that he is, has tried to get to me, but I really think these challenges have been from God., and he has really tested my limits. I'd be lying to say I haven't been tempted to quit on some level or another, but instead of going with my feelings, more times than not, I have been praying and processing. The principle I'm learning is this: God turns up the heat, but then he walks you through the fire.

Here's what I'm walking away with:

DON'T BE SHOCKED!!!

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. "     1 Peter 4:12-13 (NIV)

Trials and problems and difficulties in relationships and work and family are a necessary part of a spiritual life.  It's funny.  Sometimes I really expect to be able to live as a follower of Jesus without having to go through trials.  Of course, we all need empathy and support when we're going through struggles, but to expect not to have them?  There's a reason why things get tough.  

DON'T BE ROCKED!!!

"At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved."      Mathew 24:12-13 (NIV)

I'm realizing that as long as there are people on earth, there will be many who make bad, self destructive choices.  But just because someone chooses to ruin their own life, doesn't mean they have to ruin mine (see my previous blog on co-dependency).  I don't have to take it personal, but I do have to run my race and continue to love people even though I may not "feel" like it.  At the same time, I'm resolved: I can't spend my time worrying about people who know the truth but choose to ignore it.  Keep it moving!!!

GOD WON'T BE MOCKED!!!

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." Galatians 6:7-10 (NIV)

Y'know, God sets certain principles in place and he expects all of us to follow them.  Period.  I can't make anyone follow God.  All I can do is run my race and call others to run theirs.  In fact, I'd better accept the idea that in life, people, circumstances and situations are going to disappoint me--A LOT!!! If I base my joy on any of that, I'm sunk. I can't live my life around my emotions and feelings.  That's not relying on God the way he calls me to.  I think it's cool to realize that God wants my walk to be genuine and not "fair weather."  

Right now, things seem to be stabling out a little.  My wife is doing much better (apparently the first trimester is the roughest for many women), my mom is recovering, her health is improving and she wants to work on her sobriety, my friend has all the resources he needs to deal with his character and will hopefully choose to do so, and their are plenty of people in the singles ministry who are growing and changing and some very cool people coming around who want to study the Bible and become Christians.  

All in all, life is good.  Though I'm sure many more challenges will come, it's good to know that God is right there to help me through all of them.  When the heat is on, the worst thing I can do is give up on God.  Instead of reacting emotionally, I can respond spiritually.  What a thought.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."   Romans 8:28 (NIV)

 Thanks for taking the time,

Curtis

AuthorCurtis Reed | Comment6 Comments |

Reader Comments (6)

Thanks for keeping it real, Curtis!

July 25, 2010 | Unregistered Commentergroovedaddy

CurtisDawg, you might find this helpful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TM7jGcraXY

July 26, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSteve

C-Money, nice sermon!

August 3, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterSteve

My Man C-Reed- Most definitely true man!! I'm glad to read that your trying to stay perseverant !!! You never know when rough waters are going to come but you gotta stay focused on what God wants us to do. I'm saying this because im barely learning all this. i get lazy and i was ready to quit today on some things. But NA!!! Cant quit my brotha!!! Thank you for all your help C-Money

August 4, 2010 | Unregistered CommenterErik Romo

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