2 Chronicles 25:15b, Romans 5:10
Someone, somewhere in time used this statement to define insanity: “Usually it is a person making unproductive decisions, or doing some unproductive activity that is repeated over and over, and expecting productive results.”
I got this idea for my blog while reading through my Bible. Sometimes I get caught up into a fascinating story or a theme that seems to keep reoccurring.
These stories start with the phrase “He did right in the sight of the Lord.” I really don’t know the number of times this phrase is used in the chapters between 1 Kings 1 to 2 Chronicles 36. As I read these chapters I’ve discovered as one king followed another, this was often said about the king who was about to begin his reign. In most cases with these kings, their life as a King begins with trust in the Lord, a great outlook, and seemingly a bright future. However, in most cases not a lot of time passes before you read another defining phrase about the king: “He forsook the Lord, he did not follow Him with his whole heart!”
The thing that confused me about these men is they had a person that preceded them with the same testimony. They started out trusting in God for their reign but ended up trusting in themselves to make their kingdom work.
The end result of the stories were all the same: destruction of life and bondage.
What was the problem with every unsuccessful king? They “sought other gods” (sources) for their strength, wisdom, battle strategy, and relationships. This was a repeated pattern for several hundred years. The repetition always ended the same way: destruction of life and bondage! Insanity on steroids! They kept doing the same thing over and over again but expected different results. Those different results never came.
The problem with this kind of insanity was identified in 2 Chronicles 25:15b: God sends a prophet to point out the problem. “Why have you sought the gods of the people (other sources), who have not delivered their own people from your hand?” In my counseling sessions I would say it a little different. “How is that working out for you?” Sometimes I get an answer, and sometimes I don’t. Oh, the deafening sound of silence. I sometimes hear more when people are silent to a question than when they answer.
What was the answer this prophet got from the king? Paraphrasing, “Who died and made you the boss?” Or in other words, “Prophet, you don’t have the solution, it will be different this time. You wait and see.”
When we assess our lives right now in light of these stories, could our action be described as insane? It does not mean that I am insane, but my actions are insane. Here is a description of how those actions look in relationships: Falling over and over for the same lies, and/or same promises that are never kept. What do these actions show? Are you insane? No, what it reveals is that you may not know the truth that can set you free from these repeated decisions and actions.
Jesus said, “You shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” What is the truth?
Romans 5:10 says, “For if while we were enemies of God, (lost repeat offenders), we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, (Jesus), (we are in a secure right relationship with God and we are no longer sinners, repeat offenders), much more, having been reconciled, we, (not might be, nor can be), but we shall be saved by His life.” You may be like I was several years ago. When I read this passage of scripture I asked the question of the Lord, “If I have been saved from my sin by the death of Jesus, what else do I need saving from?” He placed this thought in my mind: Saved from yourself.”
My friends, I needed saving from myself. Jesus, by his life in me, is my Savior from myself. When I am trusting in myself to make life work, I keep making the same mistakes over and over again expecting different results. Therefore, I need to be saved from myself.
All of us have a choice. We can keep trusting in ourselves (gods) or we can begin today trusting Christ, not only for my salvation, but for my situations. With this small step of faith, I go from a life of insanity to a life of peace.
How about you? Have you found that you continue on a hamster wheel of the same old problems and frustrations? Let us help you see the truth and begin to trust Christ in you instead of the old ways that never seem to work. Give us call or click the counseling button below. We would love to talk with you!