“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!…”
Proverbs 3:5-12 (The Message)
The last few days together we’ve been talking about the two most important tools someone needs in their survival arsenal: Knowing who you are in Christ and growing a relationship that has strong roots with our Heavenly Father.
However, you might be wondering right about now why it’s so important to have these tools. Will someone really use them in life? In my belief, these two tools, when learned and applied properly will help in every situation a person finds themselves in.
My son and I were discussing some acts on America’s Got Talent and whether or not we agreed with the judge’s decisions. Melanie B. told one contestant “no” which seemed quite harsh compared to a 13-year-old who had a good singing voice but didn’t necessarily deserve the standing ovation she received. I made a comment that, like life, it boiled down to being a popularity contest. And as I was thinking about life being a popularity contest, when one finds themselves in that situation personally, if they are grounded in Christ – know their true identity in Christ, maybe the disappointment of not getting picked won’t sting quite as badly because they are secure in God’s love and the purpose He has for their life, trusting that maybe America’s Got Talent was to be a fun experience but not their golden ticket.
I have a married friend who consistently walks out the example of godly submission to her husband. Without her saying a word, I do a checkup with my own marriage, making sure I’m submitting regularly to my husband in the way that pleases our Heavenly Father. Why am I willing to submit to my husband? Because of my desire to grow my relationship with God and as part of that hiding His word in my heart, I have learned that submission, when done God’s way, is the right way and brings blessings. Choosing friends who also desire a close relationship with Abba further encourage me to continue to choose wisely.
Financial problems? Sickness? Parenting issues? When we’re secure in who we are in Christ and consistently build a stronger relationship with Him through daily Bible reading, prayer and listening to His voice in our lives, every single issue that we will face in life has an answer that will bring peace despite the momentary pain. While the enemy wants nothing more than to distract, derail or confuse us – if we take the time, ahead of time, to grow deep spiritual roots and find out who we are in Christ, we will succeed far more often than not. We will become mature adults who are able to fulfill the purpose God placed on our lives when He created us. We will be called good and faithful servants when we stand before Him someday and we will enjoy more blessings in this earthly life than if we center ourselves on what the world thinks about us and don’t take the time to study God’s way of walking through life.
Whatever situation you find yourself in, if you will choose the two above tools and put them into practice daily, you will be successful in overcoming. God promises to help those who seek Him with their whole heart. And God never lies.
© Cheri Swalwell 2017