Facing Life's Changing Seasons

Excuses, Excuses!
Pages 200-203

As we trek through the subject of Handling Emotions, we come to the next lie in Chapter 8 of our text.

This lie sometimes gets us off the hook when we're just plain mean. Many women use their changing hormones as an excuse for abusive words, sinful actions, or generally shrewish behavior. "I can't help it," they say "It's my hormones," or "It's that time of the month."

The Truth is that sinful behavior is never justified, regardless of what may be taking place in our bodies. As our Creator, God understands the hormonal changes associated with the changing cycles and seasons of our lives.

His grace is available and sufficient to help us obey and glorify Him as we pass through every season of life.

34. The lie: I can't help how I respond when my hormones are out of whack.

The Truth: By God's grace, I can choose to obey Him regardless of how I feel.

If we accept the lie that we can't control our emotions, we will also believe we can't control how we act when we are feeling emotionally vulnerable or out of control. Not only are we too quick to believe our feelings, we are also far too quick to obey them.

The Truth: There is no excuse for ungodly attitudes, responses, or behavior.

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul [this includes emotions], and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it."

The Truth: My cycles and seasons are under the control of the One who made me, cares for me, and has made provision for each stage of my life.

Psalm 139:14, " I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."

Knowing Our God

Is it conceivable that our wise, loving Heavenly Father would be unaware of our hormone levels at any stage of maturity or would have failed to make provision for every season of life?

It's important that we understand that He does not offer an easy or trouble-free process of growth.

But He has promised to meet all our needs and to give us grace to respond to the challenges and difficulties associated with every stage of life!