The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: ARROW (11/17/22)
I thought I would drown in shame as accusing arrows bombarded me. Only God truly knew what accusations were true or false?

I started my spiritual journey with brave determination to follow Jesus, desiring to grow into His likeness. But Jesus’ enemy—the devil—became my enemy. His constant reminders of my failures as a disciple kept me looking at myself, ashamed, instead of keeping my eyes on Jesus. When attacked, I forgot to clasp the shield of faith and those fiery darts hit all my exposed vulnerabilities.

Then God threw me a lifeline: Psalm 25. “Let me not be ashamed, let not my enemy triumph over me.” How the enemy was gloating over the effectiveness of his poisonous arrows, successfully wounding and paralyzing me. But God came to the rescue and turned my eyes to verse nine. “He teaches the humble His way.” I suddenly remembered what Peter wrote in his encouraging epistle. Peter—a disciple that understood paralyzing shame from failing Jesus—reminded his readers: “God gives grace to the humble, but resists the proud.”

I thought shame was an appropriate and even virtuous response to my failures, but the humiliation was not from God and it didn't please Him—it only pleased His enemy. The attitude God wants is humility. Humiliation is a poisoned arrow that paralyzes and weakens, causing us to hang our head. But if God transforms it into an injection of humility it gives life, makes one stronger, able to hold up one's head. If each failure, each painful accusing arrow, becomes a fresh injection of humility, I can even rejoice in my failure. I can never receive too much humility!

Satan means the arrows of humiliation for evil but God is able to transform each one into renewed humility—which He uses for our good.

Lord, You are the transformer! You’ve promised to transform our minds, our faces, and our bodies. Please transform our shame into humility—in conformity with Your glorious image. May we grow into Your likeness. Amen

See 1 Peter 5:5; Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 3:21
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 361 times
Member Comments
Member
Date