Look… into my heart
Psalm 139:23 CEV
Dr David Jeremiah says, ‘When you’re sick, physical symptoms let you know there’s something wrong. “Me-virus” has warning signs too, like: Mirroritis: obsession with your appearance. Moneyitis: tightfistedness, equating your self-worth with your net worth and overspending on personal wants. Micromanageitis: insisting on doing things your way. Majestyitis: an exaggerated opinion of your importance and a sense of entitlement. Makeoveritis: the drive to “one-up” everybody else.’ The Psalmist prayed, ‘Look… into my heart… ‘ (Psalm 139:23 CEV).
KP Yohannan says, ‘When it’s only God and you, you’re more apt to face your pride and your sins. With everyone else we argue these things away, look wonderful and smile. Before God, we face ourselves, cleansing and purification take place, and we’re less phony.’
Curing ‘me-itis’ calls for: 1) strengthening your spiritual immune system with Scripture: ‘… [His] great and precious promises… enable you to… escape… corruption… ‘ (2 Peter 1:4 NLT) 2) prayer: ‘… Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done… His peace will guard your hearts… ‘ (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT) 3) a clear conscience: ‘… I confessed my sins… you forgave me and took away my guilt’ (Psalm 32:5 CEV) 4) fellowship: ‘not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together… exhorting one another… ‘ (Hebrews 10:25 NKJV) 5) service: ‘Each of you has received a gift… to serve others… that in everything God will be praised… ‘ (1 Peter 4:10-11 NCV) 6) relationships: Pick your friends carefully, and avoid ‘me-itis’ carriers ‘… Bad temper is contagious – don’t get infected’ (Proverbs 22:25 TM) 7) giving: ‘A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed’ (Proverbs 11:25 NIV).
It is God who makes us able to do all that we do.
2 Corinthians 3:5 NCV
God’s plan is to minimise you, and maximise ‘Christ in you’! And He will do whatever it takes to make it happen. When you succeed through your own efforts, you take the credit. But when you have to depend on God, He gets the credit: ‘… It is God who makes us able to do all that we do’ (2 Corinthians 3:5 NCV).
That doesn’t make you worth less, it just identifies the source of your worth. Chuck Swindoll says, ‘The very things we dread, brought contentment to Paul. He never said to his prison guard, “Next time you’re near the emperor’s assistant urge him to get me out. I shouldn’t be here in the first place.” Paul’s attitude prevented him from keeping record of wrongs done to him… He was in prison by divine appointment… If you want to learn contentment, develop an attitude of unselfish humility… Start with family and neighbours; model it before employees and clients… you won’t have to raise flags or pass out tracts… the results will amaze you. “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so… no one can criticise you. Live… as children of God… in a world… of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:14-15 NLT)… Joyful acceptance, free of petty disputes and bickering… Nothing’s more contagious!’ Paul continues, ‘… I am glad to boast about my weaknesses… that the power of Christ can work through me… I take pleasure in… insults, hardships, persecutions… troubles… For when I am weak, then I am strong’ (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NLT). If you haven’t reached that point yet, remember this acronym based on the word SELF: S-urrender to Christ daily; E-mpty yourself of anything that hinders you from doing His will; L-ift up your heart to Him; F-eed on His Word.
