I’m not an expert on surgery. I’ve had three C-sections, but that’s the limit of my hospital stays, praise God. But some of you may know what I’m talking about:
Something doesn’t seem quite right. You go to the doctor, and he affirms it. He recommends surgery, but you’re not sure. You don’t feel bad. You don’t see anything wrong. However, the doctor assures you the long-term consequences are serious and life-changing. You agree to the surgery.
But what about “spiritual” surgery? Doesn’t it play out the same? Something doesn’t seem quite right. You go to the Great Physician, and He shows you your “blind” spot and recommends “surgery.” It needs to be removed from your life. But you don’t see the future. You don’t see how it is ruining your life or will ruin the lives of your children. You go to God’s Word, and your Heavenly Father shows you the long-term consequences. Would you agree with surgery—radical amputation?
The problem with “spiritual” issues is that those issues are often things we love. We don’t see the harm. Everyone else is doing it. How can God expect that of me? I don’t want to be some sort of fanatic. And we live with our bad habits or idols until the damage is done.
The diagnosis can be painful. It may be my love for my family. I may put them before God. What does that look like? I could be missing services because they are in sports, or I may be getting so busy in their lives that my heart is not wholly after God. When we are in the throes of it, we may not see what God sees. We may not realize the extent of our idolatry.
“He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).
The opposite is also true: loving my extreme lifestyle so much, often living in fear of man’s opinions, that my children not only reject my rules—because they are not backed by biblical answers—but they reject the whole thing and walk away from God.
As I get older, I see so many older folks becoming caustic and angry with the changes life brings. They lash out at younger loved ones because they aren’t doing life like they did. Is there anything more deadly? It takes a fine balance to discern what to say and what to let go, as well as when to see their life choices as acceptable to God or as dangerous, “spiritually” life-threatening decisions.
What do we do? PRAY! The older I get, the more I depend on God and run to Him moment by moment in prayer! Pray over every decision. Pray for wisdom. Pray over your words and attitude! And the most difficult prayer (which I find myself praying more and more often) is that the Lord would help you to hold still while He performs the surgery! Unlike physical surgery, during spiritual surgery, we are not “out” or under anesthesia. Our eyes are wide open, and it hurts! You may find yourself asking, “Why is the Lord doing this?” God’s surgery never looks like what we think it will look like. As He cuts away the things we don’t want to separate out of our lives or those harmful habits or old attitudes, pray for a surrendered life. Let go! He sees the future. He knows the harm they will do! He wants the best for you now and forever! Oh, have faith in the One who not only sees the future but plans it for our good and His glory!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 [NKJV]).
Beyond Common Sense 