Monday 26 April 2021

You're not as bad as all that.

 

Don't worry .... you're not as bad as all that. Not as bad as you think.

If we're honest with ourselves, we have all had times of doubts and confusion in our lives. Times when things were a little bad and we wondered whether God cares for us. Whether He has abandoned us. Whether we are not such a high priority in His In-Tray and whether He was more busy with someone else's problems. We may even have wondered whether He exists at all. And questioned the real basis of our faith.

Let us consider His followers and disciples. They had been with Him for three years or so. They had heard Him preach and lived with Him. They witnessed many miracles. Turning water into wine, feeding the thousands, walking on water, calming the sea. They witnessed His kindness and healings. The blind were made to see again. The lame to walk, the dumb to talk, and the deaf to hear once more. They saw the lepers cleaned and those possessed by the devil made free and whole again. They even saw the dead raised back to life. They witnessed Christ dying and be raised from the dead. He conquered death and evil for ever.

But even they, those who witnessed all this, hesitated when difficulties came their way. They ran away when Jesus was arrested. They betrayed Him, denied knowing Him, would not believe He was raised again unless they had proof, and did not even recognise Him on their way to Emmaus.

They were all too preoccupied with their own problems, Their own safety. Their own well-being. They were too fearful to recognise the truth in front of their very eyes.

They, who witnessed Jesus and His power and His Holy Deity, failed when it was so important not to fail.

So, you're not that bad as all that after all.

God knows when your faith falters, and why it does so. He understands and forgives you as He forgave Peter and the other disciples. 

We all fail Him at some time in our lives. We all have our Emmaus moments. Few people have a strong unfaltering faith no matter the circumstances.

The important thing is to keep on believing. To keep on trying, no matter the circumstances, to believe in Him. 

"Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." (John 20:19-31).

26 comments:

  1. ...self doubt can be a big problem.

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    1. Yes you are right Tom. It can ruin a relationship with God.

      God bless.

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  2. Dearest Victor,
    Very well written and oh so human for each one of us, at least at some time in our life.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. That's true Mariette. We are human and we behave in a human way. God knows that.

      God bless you.

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  3. Amen, Victor! For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
    Blessings!

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    1. We should thank Him often for His forgiveness.

      God bless, Martha.

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  4. Humans aren't perfect but we can try and be better people. Never give up, believe and you will achieve.

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    Replies
    1. Saints are sinners who never gave up.

      God bless, Bill.

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  5. How blessed to realize, God knows we're going to fail. And still, He loves us. Wow.

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    1. Indeed Mevely. He loves us and continues to forgive.

      God bless you.

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  6. What a wonderful post to start the week. It is normal to have doubts. That is where faith comes in - believe and receive. Thank you so much, Victor. God bless.

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    1. Indeed Nells. We all have doubts at some point or other. It helps us to question and re-affirm our faith.

      God bless.

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  7. Agree with Nells, very good council and advice and yes I do need that little (big) reminder at times. Thanks.

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    1. Thank you Jack. Yes, God does love us and forgives; despite our doubts.

      God bless you.

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  8. Nice to know that Jesus doesn't give up on us when we mess up.

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  9. Even when we are as bad as all that, He seeks to bring us back to Him.

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  10. I am often wrong, but never in doubt.

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    1. Not sure what that means in this context...I just always like that statement.

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    2. Doubts can sometimes help us understand ourselves.

      God bless, JoeH.

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  11. Good reminder. At any time. Particularly now. Thanks!

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    1. Also, somewhat comforting to know we are not perfect.

      God bless, Brian.

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