Shedding Things

Photo by Evie S. on Unsplash

Dogs shed their hair. Snakes shed their skin. Humans shed both and a whole lot more.

I have shed many things in my life, especially in recent years. I’ve shed plenty of tears over relationships lost. I’ve shed the offer of forgiveness, but it’s floated into the ether, unwanted by the recipient. I’ve set and strengthened boundaries to help resist anger and abuse. I’ve shed illusions of what I thought my life was supposed to be. I’ve shed plenty of grey hair and a few pounds, too. I’ve poured out words of truth and encouragement, songs full of meaning and emotion, and hugs and hands held to show love, care, and concern.

I’ve let pieces of my heart fall away.

None of this shedding has been easy and has resulted in unwanted stress. But we can’t control other people’s thoughts, emotions, or actions—as much as I’d like to sometimes. I need to shed my frustration a bit more.

One thing I won’t stop shedding is the truth of the Gospel of grace. If I do that, then all the pain is for nothing. Everything I endure—and all others are enduring—is wasted if the truth is cast aside or compromised. I’ve been shedding so much suffering so that God will be glorified in the middle of this messy life. I’ve had to shed my expectations over and over again.

Ignoring or pretending to discard God won’t help you find the peace you seek. Deep down, you know the truth. You feel it, remember it, understand it. The thread of grace is still there, clinging onto your heart even in the middle of your sin. Resisting only causes you more pain.

So, why resist God’s love? Pride. The OG of sin.

We believe our hype. We shed lies, judgment, anger, impatience, cruelty, and more in a sad and futile attempt to prove ourselves worthy to God and others. What a waste.

Instead, we can shed love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We can turn away from ourselves and turn to the One who is Hope.

The shedding of our pride is accepting the Gospel. We would all do well to shed our pride every day. This doesn’t make understanding pain and suffering easier, but it gives us hope. Knowing God is glorified in it all makes it worth it.

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