When life is messy

I don't relate at all to those "picture perfect" posts I see on social media.

My life is messy.  Oh, my home is clean!  But life itself is messy.

There are spiritual battles daily.

There seems to be little respite some days.

There are surprise attacks from the enemy.  I get blind-sided.  Then I beat myself up for not responding in the Spirit.

I take on way more than I should and I struggle with keeping a good attitude.

It's easy for me to have pity parties, and just give in to discouragement.  

Why can't I just do something about my messes, you may ask?

God.

That's the short answer.

Oh believe me, I have tried.  I pray, fast, cry out to God, stand on His promises.  But since my life is not my own - hasn't been for over 30 years now - but belongs to Christ, I don't call the shots.  He does.

This means that my life, with all of its messiness, is panning out exactly as Christ has ordained.  And no matter how hard it may be for me, He is Lord over all of it.

This does not mean that I passively sit back and do nothing!  Not at all.

But it does mean that I wait on the Lord and His timing to "make things happen" in my situation after I have done all that I know to do.  

I have no power apart from Christ.  And if you are a Christian, the sooner you come to grips with this, the more content you will be.

So how to stay sane amidst the messes of life?

Pray.  Pray more.  Cry out to God.  Trust Him more.  Read Scripture more.  Ask for prayer. Rest. Believe.  Focus on God more than the messes (easier said than done!). 

I know that I seek God more when life is messy.  When my prayers go unanswered for a long time.

And I also believe that the Lord wants a deeper relationship with me and to seek Him more.  And that ain't happening in the good times!

When "all is well," we don't feel our need for God, do we?  I know I don't.  

So I cling to Christ because I know that His plan for my life is a good plan.  He promises me this.  Even. In. The.  Mess.

How can a messy, painful life be good?!

When it is lived close to Christ.  That is the only way I know.  Since I don't medicate with drugs or alcohol (though I still turn to chocolate in a pinch!), where else can I go?  There is nowhere else but the truth, love, arms, and life of Christ.

He is the answer.  He is the solution.  It's all in Him.  Everything we want, need, could ever hope for - it's all there, in His Presence. 

Staying there in His Presence is the trick.  Again, so hard when life is a mess.  

How to not focus on the mess when it mounds higher than the sky?  

Oh this is as hard for me as it is for you.  I must dig deeper than I do most days.  Though I appreciate when friends offer an encouraging word, pray for me, etc., I need the supernatural Presence of the Almighty to see me through.  

Do I wish Jesus were here in person right next to me?  Wouldn't it be easier?!  Of course!  

But that's where the deeper digging comes into play.  I usually have to wage a bunch of battles just to get there - into His peace, Presence, comfort, and joy.  I wish it were automatic. But we're still in this body, in the flesh.  We're still in this world.  And, of course, we still have an enemy to contend with.

If your life is easy with little problems, then consider yourself in a rare group.  

If, however, your life is messy, full of complicating issues you wish would just disappear, then join the club!  

It's called The Sanctification Club.  Any takers? 

Oh Lord.  I have no idea why You allow certain problems to continue in and around me.  There must be more to it than just my focus or attitude toward them.  Your people throughout Your Word endured much worse!  Fiery furnaces, lion's dens, persecution, jail cells, the threat of the gallows, and so much more!  And let's not forget the most horrifying thing that anyone has ever endured - death on a cross.  So when my problems loom large in my eyes, when they just won't let up, please, Lord, help me run to You, seek Your face, peace, and comfort.  For I know my Redeemer lives.  You are there for me.  You love it when I seek You.  I want to seek You more for You, Lord, and not just when I am overwhelmed with my messy life.  Thank You, sweet Lord, for never leaving me.  Not even for a millisecond.  You are here with me in the mess.  I can dig deeper and know You better.  Alleluia!  In Jesus' Name.  Amen.