An Impatient Pot

“Woe to him who strives with his Maker!
Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth!
Shall the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’
Or shall your handiwork say, ‘He has no hands’?  Isaiah 45:9

I have a confession to make.  I am an impatient pot lately.  As regular readers here know, I've been struggling with depression for quite some time.  I began a course of medication last spring.  God willing, I will be able to manage without it once spring comes again.  But sometimes I'm doubtful.  Sometimes I'm scared. 

I've had many good weeks lately.  Good weeks during which I can see real, tangible progress in my mindset and energy levels and even my stamina.  And then I have a little setback.  And these setbacks really throw me off.  They frustrate me and make me angry.  And they sadden me, too.

But then I think of my God.  My heavenly Father.  He made me.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 129:14).  He is the potter and I am the pot.  How dare I complain to Him about my size or shape?

Even the great St. Paul had a thorn in his flesh.  He never identifies it for us, but he tells us he plead with God three times to remove it from him.  And then he gives us in the written Scripture, the answer he received, and the view he came to take of the matter.

And [God] said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.  I Corinthians 12:9-10

And so I, too, must boast in my weakness. 

I cannot do it.  This life thing.  This mother thing.  This wife thing.  ANYTHING! 

I cannot do it without God.

God the Father guides me and blesses me with temporal providence. 

From God the Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ, I have Salvation.  Pure and and sweet.  The wedding garment that covers all my weakness (Matthew 22).  The righteousness that is given through Jesus' blood.

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  I John 1:7

And through God the Holy Spirit, working through the Word of God and the Holy Sacraments, I am given faith. 

I may not feel it.  I will still sin.  I still have this thorn in the flesh.  But God's promises are bigger than my sin.  God's power is made perfect in my weakness.

I rejoice with the Psalmist, (Psalm 118)

Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.

Let Israel now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let the house of Aaron now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”
Let those who fear the Lord now say,
“His mercy endures forever.”

I called on the Lord in distress;
The Lord answered me and set me in a broad place.
The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

The Lord is for me among those who help me;
Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in man.
It is better to trust in the Lord
Than to put confidence in princes.