Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
All things work together for good to them that love the Lord
and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Our grandparents were experts at making the most out of what
they had. They went through difficult times and learned how to use as much as
they could out of something. A turkey would be killed and the feathers were
used for stuffing. The meat was cooked and eaten with leftovers going for
sandwiches and then the bones and fat used for soup. A dress was used until it
was worn out and then cut down to make and apron and maybe clothes for a child.
When that wore out it was torn into rags and used for cleaning or quilting.
With our throwaway mentality we have lost the art of appreciating and using
what we have. Signs and commercials encourage us to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
The
same thing is true of our spiritual lives. Pain is a part of life and we can’t
escape from all of it. There are things we can do, though.
REDUCE
Much of
our pain is brought about through our own stubbornness and/or stupidity. As we
grow in the Lord, we can reduce the amount of pain we encounter by making “good
choices” and learning what God wants for us through his word and other
believers. We also have the power of the Holy Spirit. In psalms David says,
Keep watch over the door of my mouth (Psalms 143:11) and Thy word have I hid in
my heart that I might not sin against thee.(Psalms 119:11) As we become willing
to be led by the Spirit, we can reduce the amount of pain we face.
REUSE
Some pain comes from thing outside our control, but we are
not without help. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run
into it and they are saved. (Proverbs 18:10) In Genesis 15:1 God tells Abraham,
I am your shield and your very great reward. If I am honest, though, even
though I know these things, I am still in danger of forgetting them In the
middle of a hard time. Roman soldiers put a notch in their helmets every time
they won a victory. Imagine sitting in a foxhole and wondering how you are
going to get past this enemy. Then you look down at your helmet and see the
notches from the past victories, which encourages you.I have often thought that
I need a way to notch the helmet in my
spiritual armor, so I can remember the hard times that God has brought me
through. That way I can reuse the lessons that He has taught me in the past.
RECYCLE
Whether our pain comes from decisions we make or things
beyond our control, Go d can use it for his Glory. James 1 says My brethren,
count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of
your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you
may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. We get stuck wondering if the
trial is a punishment from God or an attack of the enemy. In reality, either
way he can use it to for our good and to help others. He did it for Joseph, for
Moses, for Daniel, for Stephen and for Paul and he can certainly do it for you.
He can take the lessons we learn from our pain and let us help someone else.
When I had a miscarriage, I swore there was no way God could use it, but it has
given me compassion for women in the same situation and taught me the value of
silently being there when there is nothing to say. While I would rather my child
had never stumbled in sobriety, he has learned how to get back up and can help
others coming behind him. Many times I would like to put on my “holy face” when
I write so you won’t think less of me for my struggles. I have learned though
that God would rather have me be real than be an expert. This is part of how he recycles my hurts to
help others.
What do we do with pain? Reduce it when we can by making
wise decisions, Reuse the lessons we have learned and Recycle it to help
someone else.
No comments:
Post a Comment