We often assume that the big words are the really important ones, yet the more I think about it, the more I believe that it’s really the little words that make or break a person. This is particularly true for those of us who are followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. We read passages in the Bible that are greatly comforting, encouraging or even empowering, and we add one little word to the picture, and send our lives into despair.  One such word, containing only three little letters can be a killer.  That word is “but.”

Yes, I believe God’s promises, but…” Yes, I’m walking in newness of life with Jesus, but…” I am a new creation in Christ, but…” “My sins are forgiven, but…”

Dear brother or sister, there is no “but” in any of those verses!

We are called to love one another, and there is no “but.” We are called to relationship with God through Christ, and there is no “but.”  We must pray continually, and there is no “but.” We must focus on our relationships with Jesus Christ and there is no “but.”

The word “but” has a cousin, and that is the word “try.”  They are close cousins; you may have noticed that they often hang out together. “Yes, I will try, but… I know it won’t work.”

The Bible has much to say on a wide variety of topics, including a better way to live our lives, and quite frankly, it usually gives simple answers to life’s challenges.  Simple doesn’t always mean easy, it means uncomplicated, easy to comprehend.  Easy to do is another matter entirely.  All of the Biblical answers to life’s challenges begin with our relationship with Jesus.  If you think surmounting an obstacle is difficult in life, just try to do it alone.  You’ll find out what hard really is!  You might be interested to know that every person or couple I’ve ever counselled had the same root problem: No healthy relationship with Christ. You simply can’t live by Scriptural principles without it, any more than someone who is not a follower of Christ can… and for the same reason.  Know what that reason is?  This too is simple: They can’t see why they should even bother to try. In a non-Christian, this attitude is perfectly understandable, even sensible, but for the Christian, it is deadly.

Before I go any further, I should make it very clear that I am not talking about people who face addiction, mental illness or severe emotional trauma, I’m referring to more typical spiritual situations.  These other folks need a mentor who is experienced with those specific problems.  Let’s be honest, most of us don’t have those kinds of issues to surmount.

I’m not sitting here at my keyboard this morning trying to play “Shrink” I’m simply trying to put some Biblical teaching out there for consideration.  Take it if you find it helpful or toss it in the bin if it isn’t.  In any case, focus your whole being on your relationship with Christ.  This is easier for some than it is for others, I understand that, so if it is hard for you, better get started.  I’ve set forth many ideas along these lines in this blog for 15 years now, and particularly in the last couple of weeks, so there is plenty of ideas here.  There are also many ideas on other blogs, and some of you have posted some great stuff yourselves lately.

Seek the resources available in your local church.  Your church should be a place of love and healing, and there should be people either in the congregation, in the leadership or on staff who can mentor you through this… and if there isn’t I’d suggest that you might be in the wrong church!  There should be people who are glad to help, and who want nothing at all in return.

Whatever you do, loose the word “but” from your vocabulary, and be suspicious of the word “try.” We must find a way to “do” in these areas, don’t you think? Here’s something I’ll leave you with.  I know I’ve written posts on this verse several times, so here’s the quick version.  Suppose you come upon one of the promises of Scripture, like the one that says that you are a new creation in Christ, the old is gone and the new is here… “but” you don’t feel all that new because the old stuff is still giving you problems.  Notice I didn’t quote the verse, I paraphrased it and added the “but” portion that I’ve heard so many times over the years… and maybe I’ve said it myself once or twice.  Now, I’ll quote a different verse: “Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.”  (Gen. 15:5; Rom. 4:3) Abraham was far from perfect, but he believed God.  God credited his belief to him as righteousness.  When we take the promises of God, and add “but” after them, are we being righteous?  Maybe we ‘re really telling God that we don’t believe Him, instead…  Let’s not listen to the lie of the enemy that usually follows the word “but.”  Instead, let’s act in faith, believing in His Word and seeking His presence with confident hope, that we will find the peace that we are seeking in Him. That, dear reader, is my prayer for you.