Circumstances, Perceptions, Reality

We have this treasure in jars of clay: we are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-8

When I focus on my circumstances, I perceive that I am
        hard-pressed,
                perplexed, 
                        persecuted, 
                                struck down, 
                                        abandoned, 
                                                punished.

I ask,
                "Why me? 
                                        What have I done to deserve this?"

Why do I act this way? 
 Because my focus is not just on my circumstances,
  it is completely and totally on me.
   I see nothing outside myself.
   Caught up in such navel-gazing,
  I become my own idol.
 I presume to judge God by my experiences, or because of them,
"If God loved me, he would never allow ..."

In the midst of all that I feel and experience,
I need to remember God's reality:
                                I am 
                        never alone, 
                supported, 
        protected, 
raised up. 

These light and momentary troubles,
        these difficult circumstances
                these trials and persecutions 
        build perseverance, 
character and hope to achieve eternal glory. 

In a conversation about this, Jesse replied:
"So we are called to an apocalyptic ministry,
meaning that we are peeling back the curtains of reality
to see the world as it truly is, God's world."

However, it seems to me these curtains are not curtains of reality,
 but only curtains of perceptions,
  specifically, the way I perceive reality.
 The curtains of my perceptions must be peeled back
in order to see the true reality, God's reality.

Why is this necessary?
        I have lost touch with reality.


"the reality, however, is found in Christ. ... 
        Such a person ...has lost connection with the Head"
The Head is Christ. 
        So when I lose touch with Christ, 
I lose touch with reality.


These verses in Colossians comfort me. Does that seem odd? 

The comfort is simple:
I cannot lose something I never had.
 If I never had touch with Christ, 
  I cannot lose touch with him. 
   If I never had touch with reality,
    I cannot lose touch with it.

How does this comfort me?
Simple.
                If I once had contact, I can have contact again! 

How is this possible? (All things are possible with God.)
 I must change my focus,
  take it off myself, and
   fix my eyes on Jesus, 
    the Author and Perfector of my faith.

Help me, Lord.

February 20-21, 2012
Colossians 2:17-19; 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:7