Gaining From Annoyances
Annoyed
When something irritates or annoys us do we rebuke it or do we surrender that to God to remove our irritated reaction?
Is our spirit that is united with Christ’s spirit irritated? No, our spirit is one with the Spirit of Christ and wants what He wants. It is our flesh that is irritated.
Flesh is enmity with God. It doesn’t want spiritual things. Don’t expect it to. We can’t reform our flesh. Our natural self, our flesh was crucified with Christ. It can’t be made better in God’s sight. If we are disappointed in ourselves, if we want to hide our faults, we are expecting something of our natural self that is not possible, ever.
How can I as a believer get annoyed so easily?
Self, flesh is always the problem. Why do we get irritated? It is the flesh that is being imposed upon. Bothered. Not our spirit. But which is in control? Which has supremacy?
Why do we have trials and difficulties? Peter tells us in 1 Peter 1:6 that it is to purify our faith which is more precious than gold.
Purified by difficulties
When gold jewelry for instance, is returned to the smelter they melt it down so all the impurities will float to the top and be removed. Purifying the gold. Gold out of the ground goes through the same purifying process
When life seems to fall apart around us, things go wrong making you late for appointment, etc. Those are the purifying processes. When God touches us with difficulties our default setting is to rebel.
Trials reveal the impurities in us. Why? So they can be removed. If we look to God, He will remove those impurities. We agree with His assessment and surrender that impurity to Him.
It is God’s work to change us. We don’t change ourselves. We can only yield to His working. We can say yes or no.
Fire is not pleasant. Trials are not pleasant. They touch us where it hurts. Crucifying the flesh was never meant to be pleasant. It will be painful. After all, the crucifixion that Jesus suffered was very painful. Should our crucifixion be any less painful? Not only that, but also His daily crucifying of Himself and submitting to the Father. He knows what we go through.
The more He removes the impurities, the less our soul, natural self, flesh, has a grip on our spirit. Each step our spirit will be made freer to be completely united with the Spirit of Christ becoming a vessel He can use.
Words to light your path this week
- Romans 8:7-8 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ESV
- Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells. NKJV
- Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to spiritually minded is life and peace. NKJV
- 1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. NKJV
- Romans 8:17 joint heirs with Christ if indeed we suffer with Him NKJV
Prayer – O Father, help us not to chafe at the various trials and difficulties that You allow to come our way. May we yield our soul to your refining fire. Amen
Am I Carnally Minded Oswald Chambers
How Gold is Refined YouTube video
