Last time I wrote about dealing with failure between people.  The same process happens when we sin against God.  However, it isn’t just forgiveness from God that we need, is it?  We also need to forgive ourselves.  We see ourselves as unworthy, inadequate, and unlovable.  We ask, "How could God us me the way that I am?"  I’ve been noticing something as I have read the Bible.  The Bible is pretty clear on the failures of those famous people.  Moses’ frustration, David’s temptation, Elijah’s depression, Peter’s impetuousness, Paul’s hard headedness, and Mark’s fear are all examples we could look to.  Have you let your frustration get the best of you?  Have you let temptation trip you up?  Do you struggle with depression?  Have you ever lacked forgiveness or maybe courage?

 

The Bible is full of people like us.  They start so full of promise and then they do something stupid. (At least that’s how we would describe it if it was us!)  Was God done with any of them?  No!  He worked in their lives.  He touched, saved, and transformed people through their work.  In fact, God is still working through their efforts thousands of years later.

 

When I fail, after the usual struggle, I realize that I am in good company.  I stand with others who found, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy,"  God is able to strengthen us.  He wants to use us.  He will use us.  May we take courage that we are never far from our God. He will work through us!