Can you make an honest assessment of how well you run your life; and handle the problems and trials as they crop up unexpectedly…as they always do?
Can you honestly say that your heart is content and fulfilled as a result of the choices you make in your life?
If you have issues with those two questions, you are not alone.
The evil one uses our worldly sense of self-sufficiency to trick us into thinking that we can run our lives efficiently and competently on our own, “fix” our problems ourselves, and “be happy” without the help of the Lord.
Well, how is that working out for you?
Isaiah 50:10-11–Who among you fears the Lord and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God.
But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires.
This is the reward you will receive from me: You will soon fall down in great torment.
Our human minds were not designed to handle, on our own, the myriad of problems and trials we face each day; let alone the problems, both real and imaginary, we will face in future days, months and years from now.
Without the Lord’s help and guidance; our mind is soon careening out of control; overwhelmed by the chaos of too many problems, needs, and anxious thoughts. Friends and family can help and bail you out occasionally, but when it comes down to it, they are band-aids, and they can’t help with your bigger problem: pride and self-sufficiency.
During this vicious cycle, we tend to feel more and more alone and isolated, not knowing where to turn. In fact, help is standing right next to you, just waiting for you to ask for it. All you need to do is to remember that He is there…Always
Zephaniah 3:17–For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
When you do slow down and ask Him for assistance, you immediately sense the the heavy load on your shoulders begin to lighten; and your perspective on the problems begin shift to the Lord’s view of them. The problems are the same but, from the Lord’s view, many of them lose their importance and danger to you.
Isaiah 41:10–Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
With the Lord on your side, helping you, the need to “fix” everything on your own changes to a sense of “partnership” with God, working together, letting Him counsel you. Together, you take each problem of this day head-on, and leave the worries of the future for another time.
Lord, thank you for helping me to see that the ways of the world only lead to chaos, an empty heart, and loneliness in a crowd. Lord, you have opened my eyes to your ways; which lead to a righteous and full life here on earth; and most importantly, an eternal life with You in Heaven. Lord, thank you for waiting for me patiently, for the trials that have shaped my life, and for the love, peace, and companionship of Your Presence. Lord, I ask you to guide me, and to give me wisdom and peace of mind, as we walk together, through the day ahead.
