This may not seem like truth to you at first. You may think that this is a selfish attitude. But, I want to assure you, that God desires for us to meet the needs in our own spirit, body and soul – our mind, will and emotions.
The Bible tells us to “Love our neighbor as our self”. If we have not cared
for our own needs, we will have no emotional, mental, physical or spiritual
energy to meet the needs in others that God brings our way.
You can only give from what you have. If you do not feed your body, you
will have no physical strength. If you do not feed your spirit, you will have
no spiritual direction. In the same way, if you do not feed your soul, you will
have no intellectual or emotional energy to meet your needs or the needs in
others.
If we wait on Him, God helps us to meet our needs in His own way and timing.
Learn to laugh and enjoy God's blessings in your life, love the people He put
in your life, and appreciate the unique person God created you to be.
Selfish people are so focused on their own needs, that they need to do less
of that and focus more on the needs of other people around them - especially
their family members, neighbors and workmates.
Some people feel guilty about allowing others to minister to their needs.
This attitude actually stems either from false pride, a lack of self-worth or
from unforgiveness toward our self. Please realize that you can accept help
from other people, because it comes from God.
We may also feel guilty if we do not meet all the needs of all of the
people who come our way. When others ask you to do something for them, if you
do not hear God saying, “Yes,” then it is much wiser for you to say, “No.”
This attitude may take practice! This is especially true if you are not
used to refusing another's request. As codependents, we compulsively feel the
need to worry about everyone, and to meet all of their needs and to solve all
of their problems.
The real issue here is the will of God. If you do not feel God saying,
“Yes,” then please, say, “No.” To do otherwise is disobedience to God!
Then you are out of the center of His perfect will for your life and you
are frustrating God’s will for that other person too. If God calls us to serve
in some position at home, work, church or community, He also grants us the
grace to meet these needs.
If we find that we regularly lack peace in what is expected of us, then we
must seek God’s will about our life. If we are out of His will, He will
redirect us by His peace (Philippians 4:7).
Prayer:
Father God, we know we are walking in the center of Your will if we have
Your complete peace within our spirit (Philippians 4:7). When we feel anxiety
or any negative emotion, remind us to stop and pray! Help us to follow the
leading of Your Holy Spirit each moment of the day.
When we feel Your complete peace again, regardless of all the natural
considerations, we will know that we are back in the center of Your will. Our
fulfillment only comes as we live in Your peace. Help us to serve You with our
body, soul and spirit. Remind us that You have a perfect will for our life and
we can walk in it (Ephesians 2:20).
Thought for the Day:
Follow the Holy Spirit to do God’s will rather than allowing the compassion
of your soul to lead you to meet the needs of those around you or to succumb to
the obligations you feel are placed on you by your position in life.
