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Purity Spotlight
Embrace Discipline!
by Lynn Hampton Lacher (lacherl@cableone.net)
Have you ever focused on a runner’s face as he crosses the finish line? In one moment the sacrifice of hard training is surpassed by incredible joy. He has reached his goal. Does he stop at this point? No. Not only must he remain in shape for the next race, but he must train for different hardships the next race presents. To finish the next race he is ready to embrace discipline once more. The joy of accomplishment surpasses the cost of any sacrifice.
Jesus Christ urges us to finish our race, and to finish it well. Often we don’t hear His voice because we are not willing to embrace His discipline. If we really loved Him we would embrace the hardship that comes and hold on to it until the lesson has spurred us to greater faith in Him.
My daughter is a runner. She runs because it keeps her life in check. When she doesn’t run daily tasks and relationships drain her. When she does run life offers a brighter perspective.
You are running a spiritual marathon. Life is the race. The problems of life pull the breath out of you, but you are seeking the second wind of His Spirit. The Lord runs beside you coaching you on to greater heights. Each pounding step helps you understand a little more of the cost of His sacrifice.
You cannot understand the depths of such a love until you count some of the cost. Embrace the discipline that comes through hardship. Love it for the lesson and training in righteousness that it brings. Look to Him who is the author and the finisher of your faith (Hebrews 12:2). He is the one who carries you through the race of life, and who will complete the good work in you (Philippians 1:6).
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Respond to this article here.
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Real Answers to Real Questions
Real Question: (From a hurting wife)
Do you believe that spirital deliverance is part of the healing process for people struggling with sexual addictions and their families? If so, how do you recommend one find help in the area of deliverance?
Real Answer: My simple answer is YES, I believe deliverance is a component of the healing process. But let me be quick to add that healing is a process.
Lots of men (and their wives) want the pain to go away instantly. That is a natural reaction, and it's ok to feel that way. None of us likes pain! But too often people will short circuit the healing process by going on a futile search for "the answer." Scrambling and scurrying to find the perfect formula to erase their past, heal their pain, and restore their marriage. But reality just doesn't tend to work that way (I am not saying that instant healing cannot occur; however, it is usually the exception).
I struggled personally with anger and frustration at God for not "taking away my problem" immediately. But I healed from that too. You see, it is in the healing process that we ultimately learn patience, perseverance, hope, and peace. We just can't learn certain things apart from struggling over a period of time. If God simply snapped his fingers and erased all the pain, most of us would be back to our old ways of dealing with life and relationships in a matter of hours or days. We need to go through the process of healing in order for long-term growth to occur.
I know a response like this can seem a bit discouraging. We all want quick, easy answers. But if you will resolve to lean into God and follow wherever he leads in this process, you will not be disappointed with the result - even if it doesn't all pan out the way you originally expected or wanted. God has a way of healing our hurts at a level beyond our imagination if we will let him in to the deep, hidden, wounded places of our hearts. I pray you will let him into those places.
A good place to start is on our website. We have an entire section call The First 7 Days for Wives. Take the next week and read through the basic principles of what you will need to face in order to come through this stronger and wiser. You can access this information at http://www.bebroken.com/bbm/resources/7days_2/index.shtml.
Another valuable resource is our Handbook for Hurting Wives. Learn more here.
I hope you are encouraged. Keep your chin up. The pain you are facing now has not changed God's opinion about you at all. Your value and worth before him are secure for eternity. You are forever loved and cherished. Let this be your guiding hope in the days ahead. You are in our thoughts and prayers today.
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Do you have a real question you need answered? If so, email it to us at questions@bebroken.com.
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Featured Resource
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By Neil T. Anderson
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