I got a lot of responses this past week and I sincerely appreciate the prayers and encouragement. Interesting to hear that many people are really reading this blog every Saturday morning. I had people actually call me from around the country to encourage me. Some with similar experiences, fears, pains, frustrations, sadness, disappointments, pity parties and selfish flesh. Some read it more than once……I hope it spoke to your heart because it came from mine. Its also interesting who did not respond………..some people who had been through the death of parents but would rather not confess the pain or admit anything because its scary…..its vulnerable,,,,,,,uncomfortable………..
Its tough for men to be real…..scary as hell……..we would all rather be Posers, fakes and phonies…….but I have found that when you try it, other men identify, many don’t because its easier not to. But some do and want to be real. They want to be who God really made them to be…..a real man who loves a fight, an adventure and the love of a lady. But we so easily forget who we are in Christ, don’t we???
As Eldridge says:
“Ever since that fateful day when Adam gave away the essence of his strength, men have struggled with a part of themselves that is ready at the drop of a hat to do the same.
We don’t want to speak up unless we know it will go well, and we don’t want to move unless we’re guaranteed success. What the Scriptures call the flesh, the old man, or the sinful nature, is that part of fallen Adam in every man that always wants the easiest way out. “
It’s much easier to masturbate than to make love to your wife, especially if things are not well between you and initiating sex with her feels risky. It’s much easier to go down to the driving range and attack a bucket of balls than it is to face the people at work who are angry at you.
It’s much easier to clean the garage, organize your files, cut the grass, or work on the car than it is to talk to your teenage daughter.
To put it bluntly, your flesh is a weasel, a poser, and a selfish pig. And your flesh is not you. Did you know that? Your flesh is not the real you.
When Paul gives us his famous passage on what it’s like to struggle with sin (Rom. 7), he tells a story we are all too familiar with: I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
Eldredge, John (2011-04-17). Wild at Heart Revised and Updated: Discovering the Secret of a Man’s Soul (pp. 143-144). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.
I want my friends to be real…..I want to be real….but I am full of fear just like you. How do we break through??? Any ideas??