Insecurity Examination - Martin Wiles

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is really genuine. 2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT

Self-examinations can be lifesaving.

Women who’ve had breast cancer or are at high risk due to biological reasons are encouraged to self-examine. Since doctor visits are separated by months—sometimes years--examinations are vitally important and could mean the difference between life and death.

People who’ve had skin cancer are encouraged to perform self-examinations. My cancer was basil cell carcinoma and was barely a noticeable place on the back of my ear. Other than it bleeding when I dried off after a shower, I would never have known it existed. Since then, I’ve had a few different places frozen or cut off. So, I regularly self-examine. My skin doctor appointments come months apart, and a lot can happen in that time.

Another critical self-examination falls in the area of insecurity. Insecurities occur for various reasons. Perhaps the messages a child heard while they were young were primarily negative. “You can’t do that,” or “You’ll never amount to anything.” Similar messages are often perpetrated by those who heard those same messages when they were growing up. Messages like this can form an adult who has low self-esteem, is overtly shy, and may be afraid to set goals or make decisions. Spouses who live with emotionally or physically abusive partners can also face insecurities.

But Paul deals with one area we never have to feel insecure about. He suggests self-examination regarding salvation—faith in Christ. We came into this world a sinner. Left to ourselves, we will carry out the effects of that sinful nature in unhealthy attitudes, actions, and words. Without any action on our part to correct it, we will go to our graves the same way and spend eternity apart from a loving God. But we don’t have to.

Jesus paid for our sins, but we must accept his actions. His sacrifice removes our sins and gives us His righteousness when applied to our lives. This act should also remove our insecurities. After a self-examination, we conclude that, indeed, we’re in the faith and secure in his love. Forgiveness, abundance, joy, power, confidence—and most of all, heaven—are all ours.

Plan to do a regular self-examination.

Father, when I examine myself, may I find my security in your unconditional forgiveness. 

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When Life Stings - Martin Wiles

For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it … But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance. Psalm 55:12-13 NKJV

The boss’s secretary summoned me to the boss’s office.

As I walked through the door, people—work cohorts—lined the wall. The boss invited me to sit and then spilled the accusation brought against me. An accusation made by a friend. A false accusation. The nature of the accusation didn’t shock me as much as the fact that this person had made it. We were good friends, helped each other almost daily, and kidded with each other regularly. Now, they had misinterpreted something I said.

I explained my statement, and they accepted my explanation, but the matter would go on my permanent record. I didn’t want that. It wasn’t fair that I should be labeled for something I didn’t do. My boss accompanied me to Human Resources where I fought to have the matter expunged from my record … and won.

Months passed before my friend and I treated each other as before. An air of caution surrounded me. Would this person betray me again? Could we have the same kind of friendship we’d had before? Eventually, the air cleared, but life had delivered me a nasty sting I’d not soon forget.

Life had stung David, too. By whom and how we don’t know. We could choose several episodes from his life, but the sting is not as important as how he handled it. Jesus knew the sting, too. Judas, one of His own disciples—one of the handpicked ones—betrayed Him to those who sought His death.

When stung by life, listening to the accusations—even when they’re false—has merit. Often, amid the lies, a kernel of truth exists. A lesson we can learn for future reference. Listening carefully also keeps us from overreacting, which often leads to anger and actions we’ll later regret.

I apologized to my accuser. Not for what I had said but for the fact that my statement had been misunderstood. We can never go wrong with the words, “I’m sorry.”

I also forgave and moved on. Forgiveness, in this case, was a process I worked through, which involved not dwelling on what had happened. In time, we restored our friendship.

Above all else, I gave the matter to God. He controlled it … and I needed to let Him. He had the power to do what I couldn’t.

When life stings you, forgive, give the matter to God, and move on.

Prayer: Father, we trust in You to move us forward when life stings us.

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Flashback Friday - Dealing with Depression - Martin Wiles

Dealing with Depression

“Take the medicine and stay out of the Emergency Room.”

Those were my doctor’s words when I finally accepted his diagnosis of depression. My home and professional life were in shambles. I felt like I was in a tailspin—barely able to keep my head above water. Dark clouds were my constant friends. Pains afflicted various parts of my body. Was it stress, worry, or an approaching heart attack? Read more...

Tweetable: Is depression depressing you? 

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