INTROSPECTION
No one becomes full blown overnight. Preparation has to be made to live this victorious life. A stream of unfavorable events has helped to usher me into a position to be used of God. From Romans 5:3-5 we receive this understanding "...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience, experience, and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Before I began to grow in the ways of God, I possessed a number of traits that spelled nothing but trouble. Basically, I have always been a rather kind and even-tempered individual, but I possessed at least three flaws that were unquestionably detrimental to a servant of the Lord. Here I am distinquishing flaws/faults from sins.
First of all, I had an inherent stubborn nature. As an infant I manipulated my grandparents into giving me only the cookies and snacks that I preferred even though it meant making an extra trip to the market. Things had to be my way. Properly cultivated stubbornness can become steadfastness; otherwise it is contrary to the Word of God.
Secondly, I possessed a flaw called impatience. All through the Bible we hear an echo saying, "Wait patiently on the Lord." The Master Himself even said, "In your patience possess ye your souls." For a number of years, I had the attitude that everything should have been done yesterday. I had not yet received the knowledge that God is a God of time and plan.
Thirdly, I was selfish or self-centered in that I considered it a virtue to tend to my affairs and to leave the affairs of others alone. Put in proper perspective, this attitude could be respected, but anything taken to an extreme becomes a fault. It was simply an excuse not to become involved.
Well, the events of my life have certainly corrected my flaws because the chastening of the Lord brought my spirit, soul, and body into Kingdom order.
Taken from:
"Without Apology: On Call For God"
Marion Clark Ingram
copyright 2011
PublishAmerica.com
Amazon.com
