What Susan taught me about self-examination
As a fan of many Puritan writers and pastors, I’ve studied self-examination for years. What used to be a very common Christian practice has fallen out of use with most believers today because we don’t know how to do it, or what it is, or understand how much we need it. Susan showed me not only how to do it, but why I should.
The author of Susan’s memoir notes:
“Her diary gives very early indication of close and faithful self-examination, which was a marked feature of her character as a Christian. Her fervent petition was often uttered in the Psalmist’s words, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts, and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Susan was faithful in examining herself; she wrote in her diary about specific sins, and would repent and examine why she gave into temptation. Then she would remind herself of Scripture that pointed to God’s faithfulness to forgive sin as soon as it was confessed. And she was diligent in ending her time with the truth of God’s Word and thanksgiving:
“And yet there is much in this heart of mine that cannot even endure the test of self-examination, and still less, a comparison with the standards the Scripture gives us; yet I know that this good work which God, in His infinite mercy, has begun and continued in me, will not remain unfinished.”
“Self-examination is of course absolutely essential to our improvement; but we must remember, that after having looked at our hearts, and ascertained that ‘there is no health in us,’ we must look to Jesus as our physician, ever remembering that there is ‘balm in Gilead.’”
Because it was so instrumental in her own growth, she would constantly encourage her Christian friends to spend regular time in self-examination.
In a letter to a friend: “Prayer and reading without self-examination is like watering a garden without weeding it.”
And to another friend:
“But these doubts thee speaks of, dear E., should excite thee to faithful self-examination. It is not our Father’s will that His children should walk in darkness. If they will ‘stay’ themselves upon Him, He will cause them to rejoice; but we cannot be happy unless we obey the will of God so far as we know it, unless we are willing to forsake all and follow Him.”
One of her favorite pastors was Dr. Doddridge, especially his book, “Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul.” In that book, there was a chapter on self-examination that Susan put into practice. As your last bonus item for the launch of the book, I put together a printable with 36 of his questions for you to use for your own self-examination. Just be sure that you are careful to end your time as Susan did after seeing the “sickness that is within,” looking to the Great Physician who is always ready to heal and make whole.
You can download your free copy of Dr. Doddridge’s self-examination questions by clicking the link below.
Also, don’t forget today is the LAST DAY for the launch week celebration and all the freebies below. Don’t miss out on these, or the special low price that ends tonight!
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