“Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it…” (2 Corinthians 13: 5)
This message highlights biblical steps to overcoming traumatic disappointment in the course of life. Using the likes of Queen Vashti, Jeroboam and King Saul as illustrations, the preacher highlights certain steps that have made or marred the journey of those Bible figures in the course of the journeys of their lives.
The bedrock of the message is that we must engage ourselves in a constant self-examination with regards to our walk with God in our life’s journey. In other words, looking inward is a key to progress in life, because introspection is the best answer to disappointments.
The areas of our lives where we must give a thorough check are also highlighted in the message. For instance, one of the key areas is Self-identity. This is about ensuring that we are connected to God at all times, bearing in mind that we cannot attain success outside of God (John 15: 1-8). We must also make sure that whatever agenda we are implementing in our individual’s live must be according to God’s will, and not driven by desire to assert one’s self (Luke 12: 15-21).
In addition, it teaches that the gift of God in us must be used for God’s glory. Therefore, we must constantly check ourselves to ascertain that we are actually living for God’s purpose. This self-examination is very critical, as failure to do so could lead to impatience, with grievous consequences. Also, our thought-pattern is of critical importance in shaping our lives, determining our paths and decisions, and the destinations we eventually find ourselves in life.
Consequently, we must do away with every negative word that is contrary to God’s words and thoughts towards us. In like manner, we must not succumb to counsels that are not in alignment with God’s word.
All the aforementioned areas are very critical for our self-examination, especially for those who have suffered, or are going through, disappointment in one way or the other.
