What I Still Do

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything.
1 John 3:20 (NIV)

Craig is an amazing man in our congregation. Lou Gehrig’s disease has taken most of what used to fill his days, but he recently sent me an email I haven’t forgotten. In it, he described a battle he’d just been through. 

During one of my sermons, an old, familiar voice showed up and started talking. He calls that voice FUD, which is his name for fear, uncertainty, and doubt. That day, FUD told him he was useless now and that everything valuable about him was gone along with his strength. He almost believed it. 

Then he remembered what was still true. He still gives as God provides. He still prays for his church’s leaders, the youth, and young families trying to stay strong. He still seeks to be obedient and faithful every moment of every day. 

Craig’s heart told him one story, but God’s Word told him another. John already warned you this would happen. “If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything” (1 John 3:20, NIV).

I’ve heard people say, “Follow your heart.” That’s a terrible idea. Hitler followed his heart into the murder of six million people. Your heart is not a reliable compass, and neither is mine.

Let me remind you of two great dangers we fall into in our hearts. First, don’t be harder on others than God is. People say, “I’ll never forgive them for what they did to me.” Well, you are being harder on that person than God is because God will forgive anyone if they’ll sincerely come to Him, repent, and believe. 

On the other hand, don’t be harder on you than God is. Don’t judge yourself by what you feel, but by what God’s Word says and what God says to you.

Why don’t you take a look at how God was using Craig and think about one thing you give, one person you pray for, one way you still show up today.

Craig didn’t need his old strength back to matter to God. He just needed to remind himself of what was still true. So do you.

Prayer: Lord, thank You that Your voice is stronger than any uncertainty or doubt. When fear tries to tell me I’m finished, remind me of what You’ve never taken away. Thank You for what I get to give, get to pray, and get to be for someone else today. I praise You for it. In Jesus’ name, Amen.