It always amazes me how people respond to life differently, especially those who are experiencing the same circumstance. The thing is . . . how we respond in life is a choice. This is almost a no-brainer . . . we either live in fear or trust God. The point is not whether difficult and even disastrous challenges will occur, but if we trust God.
So, how do we change our view of life during tough times?
Christ, God with us, came to show humanity how to live in a relationship with God.
Christ told the Jewish rulers:
I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me. (John 5:30, NAB)
The will of God could be described as the purpose of God. There is nothing random with God . . . the plan to bring humanity into relationship with God is dynamically purposeful. Christ made it clear that the will of God is the will of God . . . there is nothing better or that compares with the will of God. Christ has a distinct nature from God, the Father; however, Christ is God with us . . . one God . . . one will.
We are invited to trust the purpose for our life, which is to be intimately, actively, and purposefully engaged in an ongoing relationship with God regardless of the circumstances.
So, how do we trust God, especially when we are faced with extreme challenges?
The process of trust is discussed in Proverbs:
Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Trust in the Lord:
With all of your heart: Ask the Spirit to search your mind, emotions, behavior, and beliefs for fear . . . surrender the fear and choose to trust completely without reserve . . . . give it all to God . . . all.
Lean not on your own understanding: Too often, we are problem-focused. We need to be solution-oriented. With Christ, there is always a solution . . . nothing is impossible with God . . . nothing.
And He will make your paths straight: Regardless of the challenges . . . God always makes a way . . . always.
Learning with you to completely trust God.
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
