Most people
just want to live a quiet, normal life. The real question is...what is normal?
Jesus promised that in this world we are going to have tribulation, so we can
count on experiencing trials. The only way to deal with them is to change our
attitude about them. Each interruption to our normal schedule is actually an
adventure in Christ and a potential miracle.
Happiness is not the absence of problems. Happiness is
knowing God and walking in His precepts. We do not have to rely on another
person to help us to make decisions, to feel happy or fulfilled or to be
complete. We are already complete through Christ in us (Colossians 2:10). We can minister to
our own needs as long as we do not get self-centered with it.
Abiding in Christ means to dwell in Him, to stay connected
and to continue to walk by His Spirit’s direction each moment of our day. As we
do, we are amazed at His character that is birthed within us, and His
perspective on life, which becomes our own. We do not simply obey the dead
letter of the law, but we have our Living Lord abiding within us.
At times, we slip back into the flesh. We may be tired,
hurt, perplexed, anxious, overworked, unappreciated, neglected or emotionally
wounded. We forget all about the Spirit and allowing Him to live and move in
and through us. We strike out in the flesh to make the negative experiences go
away. However, living in the flesh is unproductive and grieves God’s Spirit.
We need to ask anyone we hurt while we reacted in the
flesh to forgive us. The flip side is important too, that we forgive those who
hurt us. We do not erase the person’s behavior with forgiveness, but we free
our self from the bondage that unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment cause
in our own soul. Our healing is facilitated by forgiveness and frees us from
past negative experiences.
Prayer:
Father God, You are the one constant in our life (Hebrews 13:8), and You never abandon or disown us (Hebrews 13:5). Your Spirit will give us wisdom in decisions, comfort in grief and direction to keep us in the center of Your daily will for us. You give us Your peace in the middle of horrendous physical and emotional tribulation. As we keep our mind on You, You abide in us and we abide in You (Isaiah 26:3). You heal our heart and give us Your lasting peace and joy.
Father God, You are the one constant in our life (Hebrews 13:8), and You never abandon or disown us (Hebrews 13:5). Your Spirit will give us wisdom in decisions, comfort in grief and direction to keep us in the center of Your daily will for us. You give us Your peace in the middle of horrendous physical and emotional tribulation. As we keep our mind on You, You abide in us and we abide in You (Isaiah 26:3). You heal our heart and give us Your lasting peace and joy.
Thought for the Day:
The same power that
raised Jesus from the dead, abides in us. - Romans 8:11
