Overcoming the worst in ourselves

In a blog post attributed to the late Frederick Buechner, I stumbled across these words:

"'Fight the good fight,' he says (1 Timothy 6:12), where it's not the fight to overcome the best of the competition that he's talking about, but the fight to overcome the worst in ourselves."

The words in italics are the ones that stood out for me. How often is it that I need to overcome the worst in myself, in order to fully rely on God's grace. The worst in ourselves (which I believe is our deepest sin) threaten to keep us away from the loving embrace of our heavenly father. And the lies of the evil one add weight to the battle we fight - he tries to feed our minds and hearts with these lies, in order to keep us from running to the arms of Jesus.

Thought: May you rest in the strength of Christ, as you fight the good fight of faith. Remember that Jesus is already aware of the 'worst in us' and he died for these sins. Lean on his mercy and grace.

John 16:33 - "I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Overcoming ourselves

Thomas a' Kempis wrote in the 15th Century, “the hardest struggle is the struggle to overcome ourselves." I think that what he could have meant by this is that we are often our own worst enemy. We struggle with our faults, short-comings and sins, wondering if God could even love us. This can sometimes move us away from the embrace of our loving God. Thankfully we have Jesus who has paved the way for our salvation and he is the ultimate victor.  

What things in your life do you struggle with? 

Do you find that your mind plays tricks on you? Does your mind sometimes run away from you so that your biggest struggle is with yourself? If you can relate to this, then I pray that these scriptures help you today.

Jeremiah 1:19 - They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.

Mark 9:24 - Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Strength to overcome

                                                    

In a brilliant piece of writing Howard Thurman reflects on his own need of God’s strength to overcome the evil temptations in his own life. His poem is entitled I seek the strength to overcome evil, and is one of the most vulnerable and honest pieces I have read for a while.

As you read this, I invite you to make these words your prayer and to ask God to give you the strength to overcome the barriers in your life.

“I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I recognize the tendency to do the unkind thing when the mood of retaliation or revenge rides high in my spirit;

I recognize the tendency to make others a means to my own end;

I recognized the tendency to yield to fear and cowardice when fearlessness and courage seem to fit easily into the pattern of my security.

I seek the strength to overcome the tendency to evil in my own heart.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I recognize the evil in much of the organized life around me;

I recognize the evil in the will to power as found in groups, institutions and individuals;

I recognize the terrible havoc of hate and bitterness which make for fear and panic in the common life.

I seek the strength to overcome the evil that is present all about me.

I seek the strength to overcome evil; I must not be overcome by evil.

I seek the purification of my own heart, the purging of my own motives;

I seek the strength to withstand the logic of bitterness, the terrible divisiveness of hate, the demonic triumph of the conquest of others.

What I seek for myself I desire with all my heart for friend and foe alike.

I seek the strength to overcome evil.”

Psalm 119:133 - Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil.

Living in Grace

D3LM3