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Photo/KarenJordan

“The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, ‘O God, forgive me,’ or ‘Help me'” (Billy Graham).

The past few days, I can’t control my emotions. I’ve lost sleep several nights in a row. And when I’m exhausted, I tend to be impatient and angry all the time.

Afterward, I regret how I take my feelings out on other people. Then, I begin a pattern of self-deprecating thoughts, “How could anyone who treats others the way I do ever encourage another person in their faith?”

Bad attitude. Honestly, when I glance into my own mirror, especially after I’ve allowed harmful words to spew out of my mouth, I can’t bear to look at my own reflection. Yet afterward, I often fall on my knees and beg God to forgive me. I also ask Him to somehow allow others to forgive me.

Today, after 48 hours of a bad attitude, I absolutely could not forgive myself. And as I prayed once more, God reminded me to look into the mirror of His Word.

Blessed promise. James 1:23-24 reminds me that if I “look intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and (continue) to do this, not forgetting what (I have) heard, but doing it–(I) will be blessed in what (I do).”

Even when my own mirror reveals my imperfections, failures, and weaknesses, the mirror of God’s Word reminds me of His strength and the blessings that I have received in Christ–for His “power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 2:9).

How do you deal with discouragement and frustration with yourself?

Photo/KarenJordan