My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope.
Lamentations 3:20-21 ESV
His soul continually remembers his affliction and wanderings. But calls to mind all the goodness of God… The steadfast love of the Lord.
This is the secret to sanctification. I am not to wipe from my mind the affliction that I went through or may be going through at the moment, nor am I to forget and ignore my wanderings. My wandering away from the perfect peace of Christ and my loving Father. These will rightly bow my soul within me. Humility… It is good to remember in humbleness my weakness and dependence upon the Lord.
For in my humbleness I focus my mind on the steadfast love of the Lord. The one who brought me through my affliction and wanderings. The one who loves me and cares for me. This is where my heart should be encouraged and led in times of sorrow. To fill my heart with joy, I must call to mind the hope that is found in Christ alone.
My mind will surely bring up my past. It will dig up old sins and old failings. It will bring up old hurts and shame and guilt. These are opportunities for my soul to remind me of the hope I have in Christ. Of his steadfast love. Of my humility before him and his perfect love for me.
The story of God working in my life includes my afflictions and my wanderings. This is part of who I am in Christ. It is how I grow and mature as a believer. Every great man of God has these marks in his life. What they were good at is calling to mind the hope that is found in Christ alone. Not going at it themselves, but humbly relying on the Lord to meet their each and every need. Which he always does at the right moment and in the right way.
Journal Entry // September 27, 2021