Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”
I was reminded of self-examination in my readings today. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and with that come many slogans to remind women of the dangers of this type of cancer. It is a month where women are encouraged to get checkups and do self examination to see if there is any cancer forming, and if so, treat it before it spreads.
There is wisdom here that could be applied to our spiritual lives. It is important for us to perform self-examinations on a regular basis to see if there is any sin growing within our lives. We can sometimes depend on Sunday church, a conference, or a retreat to serve as a screening, but we neglect self-examination.
The idea of self-examination is not self-condemnation, but to be aware of what is going on in our spiritual lives so that we might go to the Lord with it and have it dealt with immediately. We have a great promise that if we will confess our sins, the Lord is faithful to forgive and cleanse us (1Jn.1:9). It is for our good that we would examine ourselves (1Cor.11:28; 2Cor. 13:5).
For the McGuires, we are still in the process of transition into our new, full time ministry.* There are times we feel disappointed, frustrated, or angry with God (and/or others) as things don’t go as assumed. Anxiety creeps in with the unknown and a temptation to try and take control…to do it in our own strength. It is a reminder to have a time of self-examination.
God is big enough for us to dump our feelings and thoughts on. He can handle it. He is also good to lovingly direct our eyes to Him in the process of self-examination. He awaits us with open arms, not to knock us down, but give us a big ol Daddy hug!
*Jarrod is currently partnering with Blue Fire Legacy to help provide pastoral counseling in addition to the full-time ministry his family serves in Indiana.
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