For he who lacks these qualities, is blind or shortsighted,
having forgotten his purification from his former sins (II Peter 1:9).
I have real trouble remembering — numbers especially. I don’t think this is a problem uniquely for older people — (like many of my friends). We all tend to forget just every so often. At present I could not tell you my cell phone number if my life depended on it! Of course, my inability to remember does not negate my telephone number, does it? I just need to jot it down, read it several times a day, or call myself frequently, right? That simple procedure applies to something else — much more important then my telephone number.
I may forget in the heat of the day, in the throes of the battle, in the busy schedule, that I have Jesus living inside me to face life for me and that I am something very special, a new creature in Christ. So I forget. Does my forgetting negate the truth? Hardly. I just need to figure out ways to remind myself of all that He has provided for me to live in this stress-filled, tumultuous world.
The plan I make to accomplish this task will no doubt be different than yours, but let me give you a few suggestions.
Before you close your computer down for the day, send yourself an email: “Remember who you are today. Remember that you are not intended to face today — Jesus will face today for you.” Enough said.Write a note and stick it on your mirror: “You are looking at an altogether lovely, totally forgiven, holy, blameless, new creature in Christ.” So you look just like you did yesterday? That’s okay. It’s an inside job!
Write yourself a letter, it doesn’t matter how long it is, seal it and mail it. In this letter recall how the Lord taught you these magnificent truths of who you are in Christ and how He lives in you to face life for you and what an incredible change has been brought into your life because of these liberating, marvelous truths. Keep that letter handy and pull it out of your messy drawer to read after you’ve been chased all day by the grizzly bears of this world. You may be bloody and bruised. That’s to be expected. You’re living in alien territory and are fair game for the enemy to attack any way he can to try and defeat you. But you have a respite. Run to Him and let Him hold you. (He will be as real to you as you allow Him to be.)
It’s nice to have someone “with skin on” to talk to every so often, so choose a friend (doesn’t have to be a close friend) and tell him/her your plan. “I’ll be calling when I’ve hit rock bottom — would you remind me of who I am in Christ and that He is living in me, please? I need a voice I can hear to encourage me. Thanks.”
Carry something in your pocket — a little silver cross or a note that you can grab and feel when you’re about to lose it!
Memorize a special verse that you can wrap around your feelings when you think “I can’t go on. This is it. I’ve met my Waterloo!” Maybe Jeremiah 32:27 would be good. “I am God. The Lord of all flesh; is anything too difficult for me?” Tell yourself that over and over and over again. “Nothing is too difficult for You, Lord.” (Jeremiah 32:17)
Those simple things will help you and we need all the help we can get, right? Uh oh, my cell phone is ringing. Wonder how they got my number? Gotta run.
“Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make
certain about His calling and choosing you;
for as long as you practice these things,
you will never stumble;” (II Peter 1:10)