Weaning from "My Way"

Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. 1 Peter 4:1&2 (MSG)

Oh my! Can I ever relate to this! We’ve talked a few times this year about suffering and trial. This is a very good insight about that. We grow in the time of trial if we obey God – if we stick with Him rather than fight Him – if we continue to seek His will. God is able to use our hard circumstances for our good (see Roman 8:28) so this verse tells us to recognize that as we suffer, we are being release from a reliance on getting our way in order to feel joyful and experience a fulfilled life.

Tyranny is a cruel and oppressive way of ruling. Peter is telling us that when we are living our lives solely pursuing our will, we are subjecting ourselves to a cruel and oppressive ruler.  Pursuing our will instead of the Lord’s will result in disappointment, frustration, and anger over unfulfilled desires. But Lamentations 3:25 says “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” No disappointment, no frustration, no anger. Now THAT is a ruler that I want to subject myself to!