When we trust
other people with our happiness, we end up disappointed, rejected, betrayed,
and even traumatized. People are human. At our best, we are all flawed.
However, if we
trust in God alone, and focus on His mercy and grace, we can easily forgive others
for their slights and free our self from the negative effects of unforgiveness
(Matthew 6:14).
When we feel negative
emotions, we can realize that they are simply red flags to inform us that our
soul is in stress. There are issues in our life that are not pleasing to God or
to our self.
Even the best of
intentions can keep us from walking in God's will. We are motivated by needs
around us or by the desire to support our loved ones, and we step right out of
God's will for us.
As we fill our
mind with wholesome, fruitful, trustworthy thoughts rather than hanging on to
grudges, God's Spirit sets us free in body, soul and spirit (Philippians 4:8).
He renews our
mind with the mind of Christ and we no longer view life from a carnal, human
perspective. With the mind of Christ replacing our myopic viewpoint, we realize
that we are simply sojourners and foreigners in this world.
Our true home is
in Heaven and our only purpose on this earth is to fulfill the ministry that
God gave us before we were ever born (Ephesians 2:10). Walking in the center of
God's will brings us fulfillment like no human endeavor ever could.
Focusing our
faith on God's faithfulness lifts us above a carnal existence on this
sin-cursed earth and transports us into the Spirit in the heavenly realm (Revelation
1:10).
Prayer:
Father God, help
us to realize that, although we live on this earth, we are not part of this
world. We are pilgrims, foreigners and sojourners that You are using to further
Your Kingdom on this planet (1 Peter 2:11-12). We place our trust solely in
You, because only You are trustworthy.
As Your Saints,
we are going to Heaven, and we will pass from this life on the day that You have
already chose for us (Job 14:5; Psalm 139:16; Ecclesiastes 3:2). Help us to
untie our commitments to this world that hold us in bondage and cause us
stress. Enable us to change our priorities to focus on You alone and on Your
will for us.
Thought for the
Day:
God's calling on
our life is not to amass worldly goods, but to fulfill His destiny for each one
of us as members of Christ's Body; in this place of rest, we can trust God to
meet all of our needs with His glorious riches.
