"Boast in the Lord"

 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”(2 Corinthians 10:17 ESV)

Today’s passage by Paul reminds us to be humble. I want to take this a step further. In today’s society, everyone has access to social media where they share a wide range of content. I do not participate in social media although I briefly did a long time ago. Honestly, people share too much. If you are genuinely having your coffee while reading the Bible, why are you posting about it? You have made it about you, and are you truly spending time with God, or is it a “look at me” moment? For instance, sharing a prayer request or a scripture that has profoundly impacted you can be a humble way to share your faith. On the other hand, sharing every detail of your spiritual routine or constantly seeking validation for your faith on social media can be a sign of pride and a lack of humility.

Those who boast about what they do in the name of the Lord are most likely worried about their “Christian appearance” to others. This term refers to the desire to appear devout and spiritual to others, often through public displays of faith or sharing of personal struggles. People share everything. They share how sick they are, what happened at work, their trials and tribulations, and the list goes on. We often discuss the importance of being humble and avoiding boasting, but I would like to explore the concept of suffering, trials, and God’s work in our lives.

There is nothing wrong with asking for prayer when something traumatic happens in our lives. Before you immediately run to prayer chains, consider this. Prayer chains are a valuable resource in the Christian community, where a network of believers can come together to pray for a specific need. However, when God gives us a trial in our life, it may be for us to hold onto alone. Yes, we want the prayer and strength of others, but when we run there first, we are missing the strength of the Lord and our prayers to Him. We miss the closeness of God, who is our comforter.

James wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” (4:8) When we seek strength from God, He gives it to us. Our personal time with God, especially during times of tribulation, is crucial. It is in these moments that we can truly hear God and feel His presence. Remember how Jesus often retreated to secluded places to pray and commune with the Father? We should do the same.

When you throw your troubles onto social media without first praying over them, you no longer rely on God but on the limited intervention of others. We forget that we have one intermediary between us and God, and that is Jesus. We miss our ability to share our pain with Christ, who suffered for us and knows the outcome of our suffering already. This intimate time with the Lord is crucial for our spiritual growth. It is the time the Spirit nurtures us and grows us in Christ’s image. In Psalm 56:8, David wrote, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” David’s words remind us that God is keenly aware of our life and times.

If we need to share something particularly troubling, consider reaching out to a close brother or sister in Christ. They have placed their faith in Christ and, like you, are coming to understand God through their sanctification. Allow them to call on the Lord in your name before sharing it online where you may become the subject of gossip or other unscrupulous things. Sharing with trusted believers can provide the support and understanding you need.

Our lives are set, and we should remember that God authored them before the beginning of time. David wrote in Psalm 139:16, “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

So, remember that God is in control and He will use everything in our lives for His glory. We need not worry about tomorrow, because God has already taken care of it for us. So, keep it between you and God, and He will let you know when and what to share with others. Trust in His sovereignty which brings peace and security.

Grace and Peace.