Survivor’s Guilt
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.~1 Co 3:14 NIV
In the Houston area we’re still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ike and will be for a while. You hear a lot of people around town and on television saying they have “survivor’s guilt” because so many have lost their homes while theirs is still standing and still others have been without power for so long while theirs was turned back on the next day. In fact, I feel a little bit of survivor’s guilt myself, for I am one of those people who didn’t get the worst of the storm.
We pray for those who are in those extremely difficult circumstances and we try to do what we can to help them to recover and rebuild. For those who personally know or regularly see people going through those darkest times or perhaps are involved in the rebuilding and recovery efforts, survivor’s guilt may remain for a while. For those whose lives are back to normal and have no regular reminders besides an occasional newscast, the guilt may tend to pass and they continue on in their busy lives.
Thinking about the total earthly devastation that is not really that far from where I live and daily driving by some of the blue tarps on the buildings in my neighborhood, my mind refocuses on eternal matters. “For we are God’s fellow workers…you are…God’s building.” (1 Co 3:9) My heart began to think of the ”spiritual buildings” in so many lives that are leveled to the ground or have pieces shattered out of them and are covered with earthly tarps that are only temporary and cannot help the building survive if another storm were to hit.
Another issue faced following a storm is that in attempts to start over again some may be deceived by fly by night operations who claim that they can repair and rebuild for a low cost and in a quick timeframe, but just leave the unknowing victim with a weak or unfinished building and likely a lot of financial loss and emotional distress. Likewise, many fly by night, drive-thru break thrus also tempt and deceive us when we attempt to build or rebuild things in our lives.
“But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.” (1 Co 3:10-15)
Remember that “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power…for everything in heaven and earth is yours…Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things.” (1 Chr 29:11-12) And God calls us to live a life focused on eternity–becoming and fulfilling those things that He has designed us for. If you invest your internal and external resources in building to these standards God intended, then you won’t ever need any blue tarps on the buildings of your spiritual life, relationships, physical health, finances and career.
Of course there will always be storms, but you will stand strong and you will always be fully insured for recovery and rebuilding. His signature is on the eternal policy in His Word and in your heart. What you build will survive and you will receive your reward on this earth and in eternity.
And if you have survived the storms of life without much visible or hidden damage, is there a reason for you to have “spiritual survivor’s guilt” or are you helping others recover and rebuild their lives? Do you have the heart of Christ and listen for opportunities to care for and serve the least, the last and the lost? Or do you just go on living your life in your own boarded up safe haven and not invite anyone in or go to their spiritual doorstep?
We are called to build our lives to God’s original blueprint and to help others to also build their Blueprint for Life(R) per God’s specifications outlined in His Word. For “From Him the whole body…builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (Eph 4:16) What Kingdom building effort is God calling you to lead or be involved in?
Christian Life Coaching Call to Action:
How would you rate yourself as a builder of your life so far? Consider some of the past and present storms in your life. Ask yourself the hard questions. What areas of your life have you covered with temporary tarps of this world? What areas need rebuilding? What are you rebuilding with?
Spiritual
Have you weakened your relationship with God by drifting far away from Him on the waves of your earthly pursuits? Have you built your spiritual life with a shiny golden checklist, but nothing is really shining for those around you?
Relationships
What relationships have you patched up, yet left the seams on the brink of tearing again? Have you attempted to nurture your relationships with the silver dollar more than a warm heart?
Physical
Do you neglect your physical health so much that you don’t even have the energy to rebuild areas of your life? What is your exercise and diet plan made of–hay or straw that blows away each time there is a wind of distraction?
Finances
What financial quick fixes have left you deep in debt and the repair schedule is so far out that more things are falling apart? Have you made a budget of wood that you burn up spending to maintain a lifestyle beyond your means?
Career
Does your career or role in life feel like it’s a fly by night operation because it doesn’t fit who you are and what you want out of life and you’re stuck paying for it? Have you trapped yourself in a career built of costly stones that you can’t sell in today’s economy?
If one, some, most or all of these questions leave you feeling like your life has been hit by a hurricane and there is a long way to go in recovery and rebuilding, don’t be discouraged. If you open your doors to your Father, the Divine Designer and Master Builder of your life, He will seal every crack and build it in such an amazing way that you couldn’t have done it yourself.
You won’t even recognize yourself or your life, for your spiritual building will be a dream home. And “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (Ecc 3:14)
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