When we are out to pasture - eating grass.

The Ten Commandments make it clear that God is intolerant of idols.

I have observed that God humbles us in order to deal with idolatry in our life. Some might call it pride, a Self-Image or an identity. It is just that there are times when we have too much investment in our self-image or identity and God says, in effect, "enough is enough."

Bad things happen when God says; "enough." Everything that can go wrong does go wrong.

The rubble of one's life might include problems with job and finances, alienation from one's spouse and possible other relationships. The reality or the sense you have is that you have been put out to pasture - eating grass, overlooked, put on the back shelf, etc. You may feel very alone.

Your thoughts and feelings during this time might include hurt and resentment about lack of recognition or insult or criticism in a life area that you felt was your strength. This is a clue as to the ego's Self-Image over-involvement.

If you are a person of strong faith you may be spending a lot of time in prayer and some of that time may be in tears. You are sincerely seeking God. You can be described as broken, contrite or humble.

In counselling a person in this time of life I would introduce them to the above thoughts and suggest that we can speed up this process with targeted prayer. I would explain that our Self-Image can become an idol. God may be in the business of smashing idols in our life. We can come up with a prayer of confession and a picture of submitting the idol = Self-Image to God. Some suggestions for this can be found on www.HealMyLife.com under articles.

In the Bible it is King Neb (Nebuchadnezzar) who was put out to pasture by God when he wanted everyone to bow down to his image and worship him. He spent 7 years EATING GRASS.

Once we emerge from this process successfully - with the idolatry confessed and cleansed out - then we can be returned to position and be reconciled to loved ones. They will discover that we are less arrogant, prideful and critical of others. We have gained in humility and compassion.

In leadership we may find that we are less focused on recognition for ourselves and honestly invest in others that they may be promoted and do well and receive recognition. This new attitude means that we can be trusted as leaders; God can anoint us for leadership. So will raise up others under us. Graham Cooke calls this the 'Corporate anointing.'