Stretching and Growing

I've really been dealing with a lot of internal struggles lately. There are areas of my life that I've hung on to for so long and now I feel like God is really pushing me to finally let go. Until now, I've know that He desires change in me, but He's been willing to sit back and give me time. Now, He's decided it's the right time and He won't wait any longer! I won't kid you, it's a painful process!!! And, I'm ashamed to say, I've been fighting it.

Three verses showed up in my inbox in the last week that really challenged me. I'd like to share them with you.

Romans 8:12
"You have no obligation whatsoever to do what your sinful nature urges you to do."

I can't even begin to say how many areas of my life this pertains to!! I have one personal struggle in particular that I'm having a problem saying "no!" to. Everyday there is this internal struggle that goes on. And now I have this verse posted right in front of my computer screen and it just echos in my head every time I give in to my sinful nature.

Philippians 3:8
"I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ."

This verse has me evaluating what pursuits are distracting me from and intimate relationship with my Creator. Because my sinful nature was nailed to the cross, and I have no obligation to give in to it any longer, I need to be pursuing that closeness with my Savior. Once again, this is an area of real struggle for me.

1 Chronicles 29:17
"I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there."

Is my life filled with integrity? I hope others see it! I'm still working on it - you know, the whole sinful nature thing again... I want God to rejoice when he examines my heart!!

And so, I continue to be stretched by my loving God, and I pray that I will continue to grow in Him, and that he will rejoice when he looks at me!