Feeling Better: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

My Mind: I'm so dumb

"Well, here's another nice mess you've gotten me into." Oliver Hardy made a career out of scolding Stan Laurel on stage and screen. The audience members always laughed because they did it too. The first stage of response when things go wrong is to look for others to blame. Second, you can always blame God for sending or allowing trouble.

The darkest phase is when you realize how many of your wounds are self-inflicted.

Nobody made me down all those drinks or chase after that woman. Nobody made me make those worthless investments or argue with the boss. Nobody made me keep pulling that slot machine handle. Nobody made me flirt with that married man. Why don't I know when to shut up? Why am I crabby all the time? Why did I take that money when I didn't even need it?

What to do? Talk to God and tell him the truth. "You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you" (Psalm 69:5). Humbling ourselves is good. The proud and arrogant don't think they need him. God can help the humble. And the humbler our spirit, the more likely it is that we will listen to God's words, words of forgiveness, affection, and instruction.