Articles
We Can Be Honest with God
We Can Be Honest with God
Have you ever felt like a bad Christian for experiencing negative thoughts, like doubt, worry, discontentment, or temptation? In reality, we wrestle with the infiltration of negative thoughts more frequently than we let on. Even while we are maintaining an obedient exterior life, we may seek to hide our topsy-turvy thoughts from others, and from God.
No doubt, we should strive to reach a place of uninterrupted and heart-felt obedience. In fact, God demands not just compliance in the hands but appreciation in the heart. In life God says, “you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). In worship God commands, “you shall rejoice in your feast … you will be altogether joyful” (Deuteronomy 16:13-15); and by the way, this joy is in reference to the mandatory week of dwelling in tents and paying tithes!
Who does God think He is, demanding not only that I obey, but that I obey and like it?
God is in a position to command heart-felt obedience and joyful worship because He alone reads the heart (1 Kings 8:39, 1 Chronicles 28:8, Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 21:2, John 2:24). The policeman cannot arrest me because I don’t enjoy obeying the speed limit. The judge cannot jail me because I don’t follow the rules with sufficient enthusiasm. God, however, can be unsatisfied with obedience that is begrudging. God can reject those who only go through the outward motions.
God doesn’t merely want obedience to a law code. He longs for a relationship as Father with children who love Him and share His values. He knows that our learning to cheerfully adopt His ways prepares us for the blessings of eternity. He wants me to obey Him and like it because it’s good for me!
So, what do we do when enthusiasm is missing, and a sense of duty is all we can muster today? When our hearts aren’t really in it? Or worse, when we are reeling from such intellectual confusion or emotional pain that we aren’t even sure we want to stay on God’s team much longer?
The surest way to get back to a position of strength is to confess those struggles and doubts openly. Instead of pretending they don’t exist (remember, God reads the heart already) we must address them honestly to God.
Consider Asaph in Psalm 73, whose honesty shocks us. He admits, “my feet came close to stumbling, my steps had almost slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked … Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence. For I have been stricken all day long and chastened every morning!” Asaph questions whether it has been worth it to believe God, when the wicked grow rich and happy, and the righteous get stomped on.
In speaking up, Asaph found the answer. “When I pondered to understand this, it was troublesome in my sight, until I came into the sanctuary of God. Then I perceived their end. Surely You set them in slippery places; You cast them down to destruction. How they are destroyed in a moment! They are utterly swept away by sudden terrors!” Asaph came to realize the victories enjoyed by sinners are short-lived. God never truly abandons His people. A life of sacrifice and obedience provide an eternity of joy. Asaph discovers his temporary suffering is worth it.
In speaking up, Asaph showed us that it’s a part of a Christian’s walk to experience some moments of despair.
When we honestly come to God with our negative thoughts, it suggests we still think God possesses the answer! Thus, we aren’t complaining, we are searching. We aren’t being uncooperative, we are, like Jacob, refusing to let go until we receive a blessing. We aren’t being faithless to say, “I don’t understand, please show me,” but rather faithful (James 1:5, Phil. 3:15, 2 Tim. 2:7, Acts 17:11). We aren’t being weak to say, “Help my unbelief,” but rather gathering our strength (Mark 9:24).
Finally, in times of great pain, doubt, and despair, remember to seek advice from God’s people, “knowing the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world” (1 Peter 5:9). Christians who have overcome can guide wanderers in the right path.
--John Guzzetta
