When in Darkness, Seek the Light

At the center of conflict is usually an internal struggle that hasn’t been worked out. If a struggle is fueled by guilt, any attempt to calm the strife will not be acceptable until confession and repentance are offered for the guilt. This is the pathway to inner peace and a clear conscience.

An extreme measure resorted to when facing guilt and shame is becoming self-destructive. Suicide is one attempt to silence the mental anguish of despair when nothing else alleviates the hopelessness and helplessness that have infiltrated one’s consciousness.

Take seriously anyone who speaks of suicide. They need to be heard and understood. Anyone experiencing such despair needs immediate medical and mental help. They need to understand solutions are possible. Even in great darkness, Jesus is the source of light, hope and forgiveness. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world and in me there is no darkness.” Accept that light right now. Seek out people who will provide help and hope. God bless you.  

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You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness.

~Psalm 18:28 New Living Translation

Later, in one of his talks, Jesus said to the people, “I am the Light of the world. So if you follow me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, for living light will flood your path.”

~John 8:12 The Living Bible

Saul: Losing Self-Respect and a Kingdom - Part 2

Saul, the first king of Israel was chosen for a significant role in history, but because of poor personal choices, he failed to fulfill the destiny God intended. He often acted impulsively, blatantly demonstrating disregard for following God’s plan. He became dangerously jealous. Jealousy led to loss of self-respect, impaired insight and good judgement.

Saul wanted to please his army and would yield to their demands, threats and values. In doing so, he set himself at odds with God, his highest authority, and with Samuel, God’s prophet for the nation. This conflict set him on a downward spiral toward failure and self-destruction.

On one occasion Saul was given specific orders to follow in battle. He obeyed partially but then tried to justify his failure to follow through completely. This behavior eventually led God to reject him and his descendants as leaders of the nation. Endurance is equated with patience and tolerance for what you know to be God’s plan.  

Holding on Through Failure and Success - Part 1

Former Senator Bill Bradley, who also played professional basketball for several years, quoted Rudyard Kipling in his book, Values of the Game. Kipling viewed  success and failure, triumph and defeat as impostors. Defeat and failure can negatively mark a person's identity just as the deceptiveness of success can trigger self-destructive behaviors.

          A prominent pastor was charged with sexual misconduct with two women from his church. Those charges were the tip of the iceberg of what was to follow, for they exposed the limitation of self-control and of splitting one's life into opposite moral poles, swinging form immoral behavior to pasturing God's people.

          God intended for leadership to be used for his glory rather than for satisfying an immoral appetite. According to  Bradley, all humans have the capacity for success and self-destruction. Yet God's mercy reaches to the pit of failure or the height of success. His unfailing love never lets go of even the most ardent sinner.