Ready for a Self-Test?

Let us examine our ways and test them and return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40 (GN)


Insanity is commonly defined as repeating the same actions and expecting a different result. It’s crazy, but it’s what we do. The reality is that our system is perfectly designed to achieve the result that we are getting. Unless we are honest about the nature and cause of our problems, then we won’t do anything about it, except blame everybody else. As they say, “Denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.”


The Bible says to “examine our ways and test them.” This isn’t a test to see if our way of doing things is perfect. This is simply an evaluation of “if I do A, then I get B.” We can’t really evaluate ourselves in one sitting. This is where journaling comes in handy. Simply write down what is happening, why it happened, and how you feel about it. You don’t need a high-dollar, leather-bound journal. You can just use a notebook from the dollar store. Personally, I don’t like to write with a pen, so I set up an email address for God. When I’m in the thick of it, I send God an email. (No I’m not giving out the email address. You’ll need to set up your own.)


After you’ve journaled for weeks to months, look over your journal. Do any patterns appear? What are the causes behind your circumstances? What have you tried to do differently? How has that worked? You should start seeing some things very clearly.


If you want the Reader’s Digest version (and you’re very brave), then sit down with a friend or your spouse and ask them where you could improve or what they see that’s getting in your way. Your first question probably needs to be “Do you think I have a thick skin?” If the answer is “No,” then go back to the journaling.


You can’t become the person you want to be, if you don’t take into account the person that you already are. If you are attempting to improve the better version of yourself that only exists in your own head, you are simply writing fiction. But, here’s the good news: God knows exactly who you are, where you are, and what He wants you to become.


How are you living in disobedience to God? Ask Him. He will bring it to your mind very quickly. Then, ask God for help. He’s always ready to help us.


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