This is a blog I wrote a couple of years ago. We are living in a season of time where there are wars and massacres of innocent children and brutal martyring of Christians around the world that the news is reporting (and likely not reporting, too.) We've lost entertainers and athletes tragically and loved ones to cancer and other diseases...and we have kids headed back to school and some off to college for the first time -- lots and lots of change! So as I sat down to write, I was reminded of this blog and decided that I would re-post this one while I work on the other one - it just seems so relevant right now - maybe even more so than when I wrote it...I pray it will touch and encourage you.
Loss of a Friend:
Today as I awakened, I realized that I have been mourning the loss of a friend. I've been so sad lately and had no idea why. I've been so tired and couldn't understand other than having some trouble sleeping. You may be wondering who this friend was ...my friend was Security. I held on so tightly for so long to her that she became somewhat of a crutch. But in this last few years, God has asked me to let her go. He's asked me to surrender her for a more reliable friend - Trust.
It's always hard to get to know a new friend, especially when you weren't interested in having to give up an old friend in order to start this new relationship. There's a phase when you feel alone, strange, different, cautious, reserved, and so many mixed emotions that go along with it. The elation of finding that you have something in common with this new friend doesn't always come instantly. At least that's been the case in making friends with Trust.
How did I lose Security as my friend? Through a season of loss, a season of surrender and a season of sacrifice. Having to realize that Security was a liar and couldn't be trusted came with a devastating job loss, draining financial reserves, loss of "fair weather" friends who just couldn't go to the hard places, distance from family, a season of ill health and near death, and fear of homelessness. Security has to be tangible or she can't handle the pressure and she leaves when things get hard...
So what about this new friend, Trust. Well, Trust doesn't make friends easily. She requires complete abandonment of logic and self-sufficiency. She is jealous and must have my full attention. She meddles and probes into the deep crevices of my heart and requires that I surrender all things that are meaningful to me to her.
I must admit, I didn't like Trust very much the first time I met her. But the more I get to know her, the more I realize that the depth of my friendship with her will be lifelong and permanent and will make me a better, deeper and richer friend to others if I will allow her to change me. She has a very intimate friendship with the Lord and holds the keys to pleasing Him. She has lots to teach me and is patient to wait until my grieving over Security is done. She understands and forgives when it's hard for me to let go or when old wounds cause me to push her away. Her greatest enemy is doubt. She won't stay in the same room with doubt but she and Faith and Wisdom are best friends. To have them as friends is like finding a priceless treasure.
So even though I know that losing this friend, Security, has been a painful separation, losing a friend is never an easy thing for anyone. But if she's moved into your house and become your friend, just be careful. She won't stay when the going gets tough. She is never long term even though she may tell you she is.
If you are seeking to be friends with the things of this world or the people who seem to have it all together, they may be disguised as this friend called Security. If you find yourself dismayed or pierced deeply when people lie, hurt or wound you or if a season of loss comes into your life - Security may have taken up residence in your household. If there's a need have wealth, financial reserves, perfection in lifestyle, appearance or acquaintances, you may be nursing a friendship with Security. She will tell you that you don't need others or that you need to listen to people who make you feel good and she will tell you that all you need is what she can offer which is a lie. She will tell you that you alone know what is best for you and she will most definitely tell you that you don't need the Lord - she is a liar. Let her go - tell her goodbye and grieve her departure as long as is necessary...but change the locks and don't let her back in.
If I may encourage you today after reading my weird little story, Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (security). In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
I lived with Security far too long and letting her go has been so difficult...am I sad? Yeah. Am I grateful that Trust has taken her place? Oh absolutely! She brought along her friends, Faith and Wisdom. And though they aren't quite as fun-loving as Security was - I know that they won't leave me when things get tough.
Be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy
Loss of a Friend:
Today as I awakened, I realized that I have been mourning the loss of a friend. I've been so sad lately and had no idea why. I've been so tired and couldn't understand other than having some trouble sleeping. You may be wondering who this friend was ...my friend was Security. I held on so tightly for so long to her that she became somewhat of a crutch. But in this last few years, God has asked me to let her go. He's asked me to surrender her for a more reliable friend - Trust.
It's always hard to get to know a new friend, especially when you weren't interested in having to give up an old friend in order to start this new relationship. There's a phase when you feel alone, strange, different, cautious, reserved, and so many mixed emotions that go along with it. The elation of finding that you have something in common with this new friend doesn't always come instantly. At least that's been the case in making friends with Trust.
How did I lose Security as my friend? Through a season of loss, a season of surrender and a season of sacrifice. Having to realize that Security was a liar and couldn't be trusted came with a devastating job loss, draining financial reserves, loss of "fair weather" friends who just couldn't go to the hard places, distance from family, a season of ill health and near death, and fear of homelessness. Security has to be tangible or she can't handle the pressure and she leaves when things get hard...
So what about this new friend, Trust. Well, Trust doesn't make friends easily. She requires complete abandonment of logic and self-sufficiency. She is jealous and must have my full attention. She meddles and probes into the deep crevices of my heart and requires that I surrender all things that are meaningful to me to her.
I must admit, I didn't like Trust very much the first time I met her. But the more I get to know her, the more I realize that the depth of my friendship with her will be lifelong and permanent and will make me a better, deeper and richer friend to others if I will allow her to change me. She has a very intimate friendship with the Lord and holds the keys to pleasing Him. She has lots to teach me and is patient to wait until my grieving over Security is done. She understands and forgives when it's hard for me to let go or when old wounds cause me to push her away. Her greatest enemy is doubt. She won't stay in the same room with doubt but she and Faith and Wisdom are best friends. To have them as friends is like finding a priceless treasure.
So even though I know that losing this friend, Security, has been a painful separation, losing a friend is never an easy thing for anyone. But if she's moved into your house and become your friend, just be careful. She won't stay when the going gets tough. She is never long term even though she may tell you she is.
If you are seeking to be friends with the things of this world or the people who seem to have it all together, they may be disguised as this friend called Security. If you find yourself dismayed or pierced deeply when people lie, hurt or wound you or if a season of loss comes into your life - Security may have taken up residence in your household. If there's a need have wealth, financial reserves, perfection in lifestyle, appearance or acquaintances, you may be nursing a friendship with Security. She will tell you that you don't need others or that you need to listen to people who make you feel good and she will tell you that all you need is what she can offer which is a lie. She will tell you that you alone know what is best for you and she will most definitely tell you that you don't need the Lord - she is a liar. Let her go - tell her goodbye and grieve her departure as long as is necessary...but change the locks and don't let her back in.
If I may encourage you today after reading my weird little story, Proverbs 3:5,6 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (security). In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path."
I lived with Security far too long and letting her go has been so difficult...am I sad? Yeah. Am I grateful that Trust has taken her place? Oh absolutely! She brought along her friends, Faith and Wisdom. And though they aren't quite as fun-loving as Security was - I know that they won't leave me when things get tough.
Be blessed in the Name of the Lord...Amy
