Squeezed

"When the world squeezes you, what comes out?"  My spiritual dad asked our congregation this simple question on many occasions in an attempt to take us to a place of personal reflection about how we react to life.  I don't know about you, but I find myself in a place of too much reacting...too much being caught off guard when life strikes back.

In Paul's letter to the Corinthians he gives us an insight into victory over the squeeze. 2 Cor. 12:9-10 - But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and [a]show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! AMP

On this journey I'm on, I find myself more often than not, trying to be perfectly powerful instead of glorifying in my weakness.  I get the squeeze and out comes fear, worry, anxiety...did I mention fear & worry?  Oh, how about frustration, "why me", "why now"? (Because in this world there will be trouble..duh?)  He tells me not to worry...that He's got this, but I still find myself taking back what I try to lay at the alter of prayer.  As if my emotions add one bit of help to the solution.

I say I get it...I preach that I get it...but then comes the squeeze...and I see by my reacting that I'm still working on it.  Too much of me comes out in the squeeze.  Not enough of Him.  I speak doubt, worry, fear, even hysteria at times.  And then I calm down...It's as if I have to get rid of all that emotional junk inside of me before I can step back and let His still small voice remind me that He didn't leave the room. 

I want to get it...I want to live like it, act like it, talk like it, respond like it!  When I get squeezed, and I will get squeezed, the first thing I want the world to see is the Word in me...and not me.  And so the journey continues....