Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 7-8, 10-12

This chapter is a lot, I know. But the principal I pull out of the chapter is that “You don’t have to pretend that you are fine”.

Paul points out to the Church of Corinth the things that needed to be said. They were acting like everything was fine. Their faith and trust were present but their actions were displeasing to the Lord. 

You know what one of my favorite things about our leadership at Grace Church is? They never claim to have it altogether. One thing that Nick has said many times from the stage and my husband often reminds me in my times of anxiety is “It’s okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way”. 

So many times in my life I have felt the pressure to “act fine” for the name of Christ. People will come up and ask, “How are you”? And I simply say “I’m good”, when really all I want to do is cry and spew all that is going on in my heart and mind in that moment. However, I put the pressure on myself to act okay and move on.

Just last weekend at church, I was walking the halls talking with the Lord and a friend stopped me and asked how I was. I answered with my normal reply of “I’m alright! With a smile, I kept walking, hoping he would ignore it. When I came back around, he stopped me again and remarked “I find it hard to believe”. I kept walking and said from behind, “I will be alright!”. 

The truth is, I’m not afraid to show that I am not fine, but what is more important is that people see I won’t stay there. I want to do something about it. I want my trust in Jesus to ignite my ability to act on knowing that the Lord is good and I will be too. 

The beauty of following Jesus in a jacked-up church is that we are all broken. We are all NOT “fine” BUT He is holy. Because of Him, we are called holy, justified, sanctified, righteous and a child of God. The cross brings an identity to our lives.

We are broken vessels that the Lord makes whole. 

It is okay to not be okay, but it’s not okay to stay that way.

When you don’t feel “fine ”, remember whose you are and what you are called to. Remember that you are more than your situation or circumstance! Continually allow your trust in Jesus to ignite your faith to be lived out!

Kelly Lawson