What’s the hardest part of overcoming our problems? Admitting we have them!
I know we can stop, right in the middle of whatever chaos surrounds us, and say, “Enough.” I know we can, because one night 20 years ago, I stopped right in the middle of the mess I was in, looked around, and said, “This is not who I am.” I know now that Jesus met me that night, in the middle of my mess, and we began a really long walk out. It has brought me, and is still bringing me, to healing and wholeness. He is faithful to answer our cries for help.
We began a study last night on making Healing Choices in our life. (Listen In) The first topic was Admitting It. They called it the Reality Choice, a choice to look at the reality of our situation, that it has become unmanageable, and that we need help. When we aren’t able to fix it, to control the outcome, or even get out of it, it’s time to make that choice. Seems like a harsh reality, doesn’t it? Maybe not. This study is based on the Beatitudes, the words of Jesus Christ, and they are direct, to be sure, but not so harsh. Check it out…
“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor…” – Matthew 5:3
What does that mean? Happy to be poor? It means that we know we aren’t going to be able to fix everything on our own. We know we need other people to help us. We know we need God to help us. Spiritually poor. Trying to fix things by ourselves has only made them worse, and this is a chance to finally make things right…and we know it. Warren Wiersbe described this as a way of looking at ourselves, but not down on ourselves. In His commentary on Matthew 5:3 he wrote this:
Being honest with ourselves. Admitting something is wrong and we can’t fix it on our own. The Reality Choice. This is where healing begins. I love what he wrote about knowing, accepting, and trying to be ourselves…because this is who God made us to be. We honor him by being ourselves. So, in our attempts to control it all, it got messed up, but it’s ok. We can start from here. We just have to admit that this is where are. It doesn’t mean we have to stay here, but we can start from here.
We can’t control what happened to us.
We can’t control other people, or how they have treated us.
We can’t control our problems.
Admitting it really is the first step. God can’t work His changes in a heart that’s filled with pride, with “I’ve got this.” If we could fix our problems on our own, we would have already done it. 
A favorite author of mine, Andrew Murray, wrote “Humility is the soil in which graces take root.” In order to experience God’s Grace, for ourselves, in our problems, we have to first admit that we aren’t God, we can’t control it, and second admit that we need God to be God. The good news is…
“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – James 4:6
God opposes the proud, but gives us Grace when we are humble. Trying to control our image, other people, our problems or our pain can only lead us to fear, frustration, fatigue and failure. This is what Jesus meant when He wrote that when we know we are spiritually poor, we have the Kingdom of Heaven. We have God’s Grace. In that lies eternal happiness and the peace of knowing that He is with us, regardless of the mess we find ourselves in.
First, admit that things are out of control. Second, admit that we need help. That’s when healing starts. From here, any of us can move forward and get out of our mess!
Have you had to admit that you needed help? Will you tell us about it? It’s in our struggles that we really come to know God and ourselves. Your story can bring hope to someone today.
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What is it you’re facing? Nobody goes into battle alone. We can stand with you. Let us know in the comments below how we can pray for you, or by submitting your story. He will fight for you.
Hope Shack 