1 of 1

Key Bible Verse: I think of the good old days … I search my soul and think about the difference now (Psalm 77:5-6). Bonus Reading: 1 Kings 10:9b-18

I realized that I'd grown accustomed to sleeping on my arm. My soul had gone past the tingling stage; it felt numb and listless. Dr. Blakeslee had more to say: "Bill," he told me, "sometimes you need to let go of an impure form of security in order to grab hold of a pure form of insecurity."

It was like suddenly solving a mind-twisting riddle. In a flash I saw his meaning. I realized that I'd held on to work and ministry for security. My stubborn unwillingness to let go of one or both had corrupted my soul. I had believed the lie that a growing ministry and financial security would lead to contentment.

I was resolved to leave the dark, lifeless world of depression, but rolling over would mean taking the risk of grabbing something less secure. Frankly, I didn't know if I had the courage to walk away from my job. It seemed almost like bungee jumping without a harness and cord. What if God didn't stop my fall?

Eventually I took the leap and embraced a new direction that offered no financial security and uncertain success. I quit my writing job and later resigned from the church I pastored in order to launch a national men's ministry. I knew I had grabbed a pure form of insecurity.

—Bill Perkins in Six Rules Every Man Must Break

My Response: I need to let go of ____ and then grab hold of ____.

Thought to Apply: When you're in a slump, you're not in for much fun. Un-slumping yourself is not easily done.  —Dr. Seuss (children's book writer & illustrator)

Adapted from Six Rules Every Man Must Break (Tyndale, 2007) by permission.

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

When I feel discouraged, Lord, help me make positive adjustments and pour myself into others.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help