Caught In The Middle

I am caught in the middle.  I don't like being there.  It is miserable.  I didn't choose to be caught in the middle.....it just jumped up out of nowhere and it won't let me go.  No matter what I have done to get myself out of the middle it doesn't work.  I am still caught in the middle.  I feel beaten up because of it.  I have suffered much heartache because of it.  Some days all I want to do is just run away from it all and permanently remove myself from the middle.  But alas, I know that is not the solution.  If I run, I might feel better for a while but then it will all come crashing in on me and the situation will probably be worse than what it is now.  Too many people would be hurt if I run.  I know that the feeling of running is just an emotion that I need to work through.  I know what the right thing to do is; stick it out, pray over it and just keep giving it over to the Lord. 

As I was dealing with yet another situation from this "caught in the middle" syndrome that I have found myself in and feeling quite grumpy over the whole thing, God spoke to my heart.  He told me that is where Jesus was when He walked on this earth as a man.  He was "caught in the middle".  He was caught in the middle between mankind and God.  He was caught in the middle between sin and Holiness.  He was caught in the middle between doing His own will and doing the will of His Father.  And, unlike me, He never complained.  Unlike me, He suffered much physical pain.  Unlike me He willingly did the will of His Father through it all.

I tend to feel sorry for myself, get angry at my situation and/or get grumpy when the whole thing is imploding on me.  I get frustrated with myself when I fail to pray over it and surrender it to God when I should do so.   Doesn't God's word say in I Peter 5:7, "Cast your cares on Him for He cares for you." and then in I Thessalonians 5:17, "...pray without ceasing..."?  Why do I so focus on my comfort in life instead of God's will for my life.  Why do I sometimes take the situation into my own hands instead of "waiting patiently on the Lord"?   Psalm 37:6 

God showed me this week that my "caught in the middle situation" is spiritual warfare.  He also showed me this week that Jesus endured "caught in the middle" spiritual warfare when He was tempted in the desert for 40 days.   And so again, God reminds me that I need to put my focus on Jesus and how he handled his situation when I am enduring mine, instead of letting my emotions run away with me and hurting those around me.  

Where, oh where, would I be without God in my life?  Where would I be without Jesus to look to.....Jesus who endured every heartache that I have endured and always looked to His Father for his solutions.  Thank you God for loving me so much that you gave me Jesus to be the soluation to every issue in my life.

If you are suffering from a "caught in the middle" situation, or if you are suffering from any other situation in your life.....I encourage you to do what God has reminded me of this week, "Cast your cares on God" and "pray without ceasing".  And then, if you need encouragement in your situation, let me know.  I would love to encourage you in the Lord.

Encouraging You In Christ!

All Praise, Honor and Glory to God!