The Word for Writers

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We are NOT Our Situations -- reposted from 06/18/04

As a general rule, I do not share my testimony in depth with those I am around often. It has nothing to do with pride or lack of humility. It has more to do with the desire to reflect the joy of the Lord, His power, His grace, and His love being the main theme in my life and that I am not focused on, or in bondage to, past events.

Philippians 3:13-14 (NIV) says, "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." It is human nature for us to have pity for those who have suffered, even if that suffering no longer holds substance. And, I’m sorry if this offends anyone, but it is human nature to seek pity from others. I live by Philippians 3:13-14 though, and the last thing I want is pity.

I took that thought to the Lord sometime ago. His response to me was "It is not necessary, now, to share it all. Your testimony has nothing to do with what I brought you from, but everything, My daughter, with what I’ve brought you TO. In time, I will ask you to humble yourself so that people can praise My works through your deliverance, at a time when those close to you have seen clearly that you are separated from the past, a new creation and that you have a past but you are NOT your past." How absolutely thoughtful and gracious of my Father!

Praise God! I believe that time will come to pass. But for now, I have been presented with a new outlook on a phrase that we hear over and over again: "You just don’t know what I’ve been through." With much prayer and reflection on that statement, the Lord has graciously given me some revelations on that subject.

There are three reasons that statement might be made. One of them, and I believe it is the most prominent reason, is that the person making the statement is looking for an excuse to resist the prompting of the Holy Spirit to change their own circumstances. It is a lame excuse to continue in their sin.

Forgive me if that sounds judgmental, but I Corinthians 6:2-3 (NIV) clearly states "Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" So I am not judging the person for being in bondage to sin or for resisting the Holy Spirit. (Hey, I’ve been in both those predicaments!) I am, rather, judging the reasoning behind that statement.

Just an example of a case like that: Consider a man who is in bondage to alcohol. Though the gospel has been presented to him time after time throughout his life, though he knows the scriptures, and though he understands that drunkards will not inherit the kingdom of God, (Refer to Galatians chapter 5, verses 19-21) he uses the statement, "You just don’t know what I’ve been through" to continue to indulge in strong drink.

All those "acts of the sinful nature" in the verses I’ve referred you to above can fit into place where I’ve used alcohol as an example. People who are envious, for example, use the excuse of having lived a rougher life to make themselves feel better for envying those who seem to have been under the favor of God since birth. "You do not know what I've been through. You haven't been through it. It's not fair! God is not fair!" It is a lame excuse to continue in the sinful nature of envy. Again, I'm not judging the person, just the reasoning behind the statement. God can deliver anyone from anything... even envy!

I'll let you know about handling the situation should someone use that lame excuse, but first, let's look at the second reason that statement might be made, (and it is the reason that we need to be most aware of, listening for, and asking God to give us discernment for). That person is crying out, desperately pleading for someone to help them out of a situation that is out their control. They might not say it, but their statement may be leading up to "You just don’t know what I’ve been through... and if you are listening to God, then you know that He has presented me to you as your opportunity to be the good Samaritan. Will you walk away and fail to have compassion for me? I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was naked and you did not clothe me."

Unfortunately, my brothers and sisters, we live in a world of much suffering. If you are blessed in that you do not suffer tremendously, praise God. But in your life of favor, pray God fill you with compassion for the less fortunate. They belong to the same God you belong to.

The third reason that statement might be used is in proclamation of the grace of God. "You just don’t know what I’ve been through. But let me tell you, because I want you to know that I serve a God who doesn't change! He's the same yesterday, today, and forever! I serve a God who can STILL reach His hand into the deepest pit and pull you out. I serve a God who STILL delivers, who STILL saves, who STILL washes white as snow, who STILL pulls down strongholds, who STILL judges righteously, who STILL loves His creation, and I serve a Savior who STILL hooks his staff around the necks of straying sheep to pull them back into line! Hallelujah to the Good Shepherd! I’ve just gotta to tell you a few things about what I’ve been through because I want you to know that God’s mercy really does endure forever. He’s a good God!" Excuse me. I got just a little excited for a minute about the God I serve.

But, you just don’t know what I’ve been through! However, the key, my brothers and sisters, is that I’ve been THROUGH it! Hallelujah! Yea, though I walk THROUGH the valley of the SHADOW of death! I didn’t STAY in it. I had a situation, but I was NOT that situation. And by the grace of God, let me tell you what I’ve been THROUGH.

Now, let me take you all the way back to the beginning of this article. I have a feeling that that time is not so far in the future when God will move me to use a few of my past valley experiences as an example of His mercy. Perhaps God is letting me warm up to the idea by sharing with you, here, first. But then, many of you have already read about a few of my valleys anyway. So what I’m telling you here probably doesn’t surprise you a whole lot.

Maybe God let me go through all those valleys (even the ones I still cannot bring myself to even share with you guys) for the purpose of making me a compassionate minister and prayer warrior for others who are suffering similar trials. Well, somebody’s gotta do it. By the grace of God, I surrender to that call on my life. It isn’t easy. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

And even should I walk through many more of those valleys, I have this thing to hang on to: He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. And I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress. My God, in HIM will I trust. No matter the circumstances that surround me, I WILL abide under His shadow. I WILL trust HIM! I just can't begin to tell you of the valley I went THROUGH... and went ALL THE WAY THROUGH it... hanging on to that exact scripture from Psalm 91. I know that I know that I know that I know HE, and He alone, will always be there to bring me out and set my feet on the high hills. Blessed are the weary, for they shall find rest: I find my rest under the shadow of His wings.

Listen! Have you heard anyone say lately, "You just don’t know what I’ve been through?" The Lord is calling His people to be compassionate! If you strive to walk in His image, then try to remember that, above all other traits, He was compassionate! My goodness, He laid His life down for us! How much more compassionate did He have to be?

But we are also to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. (Matthew 10:16) Ask for discernment so that you are not deceived. Think about the reasons someone might be using that statement and seek God’s direction for how HE wants you to handle the situation.

If it’s a lame excuse, separate yourself from the ungodly and let God deal with them. (II Corinthians 6:17) That person has to WANT to be delivered! But, if it’s a desperate cry for help, ask God for the means to provide that help whether it be through the natural means of finance or shelter, through the Word of God for their strengthening, or even through something as simple as a soft shoulder. (It just amazes me that the softest of shoulders are also the muscled ones who have been exercised most by carrying a lot of weight... that's right, the ones who have been THROUGH some things.)

But above all, do not be quick to judge the oppressed. You are very blessed indeed if you are presented with the opportunity to bless those less fortunate than yourself. Not only is it a blessing, it is YOUR responsibility. What will you do with it?

I Peter 1:22 (NIV) Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

John 13:34-35 (NIV) "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

© Joyce Pool

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