Self-preservation-a hinderance to the narrow path

Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about self-preservation and I thought I would share since this is something we all struggle with even if we are of the selfless minority.

We live in a world and time that seems to scream at the top of it’s lungs, “what about me?” Whether it be more time for ourselves to more stuff to make us happy. It’s all about us. As we go through trials, tribulation and persecution, we look for an escape as we feel we should not be enduring any hardship or suffering. This is the nature of the times that we are in, as we are selfishly encouraged to seek all that brings us comfort and joy. But we as Christians must stop and ask ourselves if this is God’s will to avoid pain and suffering which the bible says produces good fruit.

•  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:3-5

• But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.1 Peter 5:10

• And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope.Romans 5:3-4

This past year has been a particularly difficult time for us as a family. A serious diagnosis for our 9yr old that she must live with auto-immune type 1 diabetes. In the same week finding out we were expecting baby no.2 (which was a joy and answer to prayer). Yet it became a very stressful pregnancy since I suffer from a permanent connective tissue disorder which meant extreme pain and at some stages I could not even move for months along with morning sickness. Later we found out our baby girl was not growing well due to the placenta and so we had to be continuously monitored. My husband’s work also got reduced due to Covid.

This post is not to complain or be depressing but to encourage because despite the hardship it has been an amazing year where God has brought us through over and over. He has been strong where we were not. He has blessed us and provided where we unsure. So many amazing things happened that showed us God was in control and was looking after us despite the difficulty.

In our walk we may be tempted to take the easy option to avoid suffering and pain. Many people would say we were crazy to pray for a child when I have an illness. Some would also tell us homeschooling is hard, why not send them to school? Or how about just go and buy that big house, don’t worry about the debt and on and on.

But on our journey of following Christ, we must remember that we are not called to avoid suffering, we are called to follow His Kingdom and righteousness. This means making choices that please Him not us. This means dying to self daily. As the saying goes, we must decrease so He may increase. This is how we become a Vessel of Honour, fit for the Kingdom of God.

Vessel of Honour

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.  Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21 (Set apart).

So please don’t listen to the noise of the World calling you to self-preservation. That will prevent you from growing and being filled with the Fruits of the Spirit. Nothing compares to the life God calls us to. I have been blessed beyond belief as I meditate on the goodness of God and how His ways are so good….

God bless & keep you,

Megan