Restoration – 10 April 2008

A few years ago at work, I was on the receiving end of some criticism from a manager in an open plan office in front of my colleagues. I felt all the worse because I knew I could have avoided the mistake, but now I felt like an idiot and thought all my colleagues thought I was as well. I felt like someone had stuck a pin in my ego.

Although I think it was wrong for the manager to have criticised me in front of others, I do think the Lord used that situation to show me that I had been proud in a wrong way, in my own efforts, and that feeling deflated I could turn to Him for building up again.

Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” [NIV]

I am sure that God uses situations resulting from sin for our building up. If we recognise the sin for what it is, maybe ours or another persons, and turn to Christ for our restoration, then we will be stronger than we were in the first place because we’ve built on the truth.

But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 [NIV]