May 16, 2008 12:09 pm
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A young man recently told me he would never become a Christian because he believes Christianity is a crutch people lean on to help them through their problems.
He said, “I don’t need your God as a crutch.”
Interestingly, this same man admits he picks up a cigarette every single time he is stressed and has a drink after most long days. Maybe, in his mind, these things are “cool” but believing in God is not “cool.”
Either way, he is absolutely wrong.
I will admit in a millisecond that it would be very tough to endure many of life’s circumstances without the strength and wisdom of a loving God. I can imagine how life would seem bleak and hopeless without assurance that we have a purpose and life beyond the problems we face while on this earth.
However, I will also admit it is not always easy to lean on God, trust God and live in a way that honors God.
Christianity is not for the faint of heart.
If I were a parent who found out my child has a serious illness, I hope I would immediately go to God in prayer, find comfort in his word and then make phone calls to ask other believers for prayer support. But, this reaction would not necessarily come naturally.
Naturally, as a hurting human, I might light a cigarette or pour a drink and spend days being completely forlorn. This would be easy and might temporarily deaden my pain. But in the end, these “crutches” would do me no good whatsoever.
In my flesh, it would also be very easy for me to become fiercely angry at God and shake my fists at him for allowing my child to become ill.
Why? Because it is not always easy to trust God.
Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (NKJV)
I assure you that those who believe Christianity is a crutch have never tried to trust the Lord with all their hearts and lean not on their own understanding when they have been faced with a difficult situation. It is anything but easy.
Try relinquishing control to God and completely trusting Him with whatever happens. Not easy. Try continuing to have a close relationship with Him as the situation worsens. Not easy. Try having dedicated faith in Him when the situation becomes dire and you wonder if He has been there for you at all. Not easy.
Believing that God is always right here with us and understanding He cares for us, even in the midst of life’s tragedies, is often very difficult.
It takes consistent effort and a persistent faith.
Faith. That’s the tough part. We can see God in nature and in answered prayers, but we cannot visibly see his face. We can hear the small, still voice of the Holy Spirit in our minds, but we cannot hear God audibly speaking. We can read His words in the Bible, but we must believe they come from Him and are meant for us.
A relationship with God requires faith ... and much effort.
It would be so much easier to go to my husband or my girlfriends when I suffer a great disappointment. They can nod their head to show me they are listening; they can speak in a voice my human ears can hear; and they can put their arms around me to physically comfort me.
In fact, I could allow these people, these relationships, to become a crutch.
However, they cannot be the true healer. They cannot be all knowing. They cannot be the mighty counselor. They cannot be the great physician. They cannot be my rock. They cannot be my constant comforter. They are not God.
Only God is God. Only Jesus Christ can save me. Only the Holy Spirit can speak truth to me.
My family and friends may try to assist me through life’s trials, but they could inadvertently lead me down the wrong path with their words and limited human knowledge.
But God will never lead me down the wrong path if I really listen to Him.
Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NKJV)
We may not understand all the things God allows to happen in our lives, but we can rest in the knowledge that he is in control. He is working behind the scenes to strengthen us, and he is putting his plan into motion so other people come to know the saving power of Jesus.
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus promises me, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (NKJV)
Some may consider this promise a crutch. I consider it the greatest gift I’ve ever been given.
It is not always easy to rest in God and accept His plan, but I have come to find that when I do, he will indeed give me “peace that surpasses all understanding.” (Philippians 4:7, NKJV)
Misty Shultz holds master' degrees in marriage and family counseling and Christian education. She can be reached at mmenos_7@yahoo.com.
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