Something’s wrong? Perhaps your heart’s a bit cold? Hurt? Where’s the joy? Where’s the hope? Where’s the confidence? Feeling a bit low, sad, lost? Most important question – do you know why? I think we all find ourselves, from time to time, in this position. (A kind of ‘aside’ in this is… did we learn from the last time we were here?) So now that we’ve identified the issue – lost – what do we do? Since each ‘lost’ situation seems to have its own flavor and focus, is there anything we can utilized from previous times?
Lost is a very uncomfortable feeling. My first question to me typically is… is this a feeling or a place (they really aren’t the same and rarely are resolved in the same way)? Lost, for me, is a bit like numbness and I really intensely dislike being numb. Fortunately, there are scriptures that we can turn to to both identify what’s happening and the resolution, such as:
“Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8, AMP)
My questions: how am I responding? Am I balanced and self-disciplined… and, if not, what do I need to do to be in that state. Do I recognize who my enemy is and adjust my response to this? Actually, when I do this, I find myself gaining ‘control’ over me and my situation. (Then again, I am the analyzer type. If you’re not… what will you do?)
While feelings are important and we do need to acknowledge them… we don’t need to give them preeminence. We can operate in a different context, but I don’t believe this is possible until we acknowledge and own how we feel. For me, my least favorite state is lost. Lost opens up so many different options of why I got there and what I can do now. So, I need to define ‘lost’ in this particular situation. And I need to go to scripture for my response and scripture provides 16 verses to consider.
“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].” (2 Timothy 1:7, AMP)
“Do not fear [anything], for I am with you; Do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you; I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].” (Isaiah 41:10, AMP)
“Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”
(Proverbs 3: 5-6, AMP)
Reading them, reciting them, letting them sink into my spirit is how I emerge from my ‘lost’ condition. I need to remember the relationship I am building with the Lord and trust in Him and in it. Whenever times like these happen, cling to who you are becoming and whose you are.
