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If you are a Christian, there is a groan within. It will not go away. Do you know what it is, why it is there? Let’s pray about it today.
Discontentment is a problem for humanity. We always want more. Nothing truly satisfies. Maybe momentarily and for seasons we have contentment, but for the most part it doesn’t last. This is true even for Christians. But our groaning (Christians) within is different, and is set apart from the lusty groaning for worldly things. At least it should be. If not, we need to check ourself, before we wreck ourself.
For us, the groaning within is to be revelation of holy longing. We are to know that it means we long to be set free from our flesh life, and earnestly desire to be clothed eternally with our glorified state. We long to be set free from shame, from feeling exposed and vulnerable, from feeling lonely and dissatisfied. We groan and are burdened because we eagerly await the moment when our mortality will be swallowed up by life!
- 2 Corinthians 5: 1For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, 3 because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4 For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
How does this hit you? Does that resonate within? Can you see why you groan?
You long for the flesh-based life to be destroyed. You long for the eternity God has promised. You long for the glorified state of eternal life free from sin, sickness, sorrow. The discontentment burdens and creates the groaning within. Connect with it. This will help you turn from thinking that "if my life only looked like this..." type of thoughts. Connect it is your spirit that will not be satisfied in this sin-sick world. You long for Jesus. ❤️
Direct your thoughts into the Spirit within you longing for holiness, for being set free from your flesh and being swallowed up by the life of God.
MEDITATE- How would your life look different if you redirected the groaning away from flesh and into the Spirit life God calls us to? Does it add more rushing around, or can you sense the Spirit of God calling you to slow down... and just enjoy a walk with worship music... talking to God as friend? Can you sense Him calling you away from worldly pursuits? Getting up early and journaling your reaction to a section of scripture? Would you take time to write a letter of thanks to God for your right now season? What is He teaching you? How do you need Him? Tell Him! Turn your eyes off your own pursuits... Consider things like helping a neighbor or serving in a ministry at church. Be content in the now... You have everything you need. You have Jesus.
A time is coming to be released from the groaning, the dissatisfaction. Take heart! It is coming! In the waiting, let’s stay faithful to Him. Let’s press in and ask for His life now through us! Be content and thankful!
Follow along as I pray and respond where prompted...
Lord, thank you. Thank you so much for holy counsel in your word. 2 Corinthians 5:1-5 tells us why we feel so restless. You t;ell us why we struggle with discontentment. We are groaning. Yes we agree with your word! We long to be set free from the flesh.
Open yourself up now and say,
..."Yes, Lord I long to be set free from my flesh."
Lord we are burdened within, we feel the strain. Set us free from traps and lusts and acts of disobedience. Are we substituting holiness for pursuit of worldly things?
Ask the LORD.
"Reveal to me any area I am pursuing worldly things instead of saying no to temptation."
Wait. (Does anything come to mind?)
In the Name of Jesus, I bind up acts of the flesh in this one.
Agree with that.
I declare your promise, that you Lord, are faithful to provide a way out of temptation. Agree.
"Lord I agree that you are faithful to provide a way out of temptation."
Are you willing to say to Him right now...
"Jesus, in the next moment of temptation, I will cry out and ask for you to deliver me from temptation and turn away from my flesh."
LORD satisfy this one. Fill them. Direct their time and energies and life into Spirit-filled life. Grant them joy in discovering creative talents given by the Spirit, holy purpose that brings joy and peace. Quiet their flesh to wait with you, and lose time in your presence. May this one take You on walks and talk with you as best friend, lover of their soul, the One who is preparing a mansion with a room just for them. Life that is truly life awaits, a new body, eternal life away from the strain of this sin-sick world! Strengthen them to wait in the groaning, protect them as they earnestly wait for their mortality to be swallowed up by life! Thank you Jesus!
