I was in deep prayer for the past three weeks over what to write my next blog entry on. It had come down to two topics. God revealed to me in three different ways through 3 people including myself that this was the topic he would want me to write about. I find it amazing that he will reveal to us these things. All I had to do was ask him and his word says he will answer our prayers if it is in accordance with his will. (Matthew 7:8, Matthew 21:22).
I could go on and on about this topic but I am going to write about how this topic has been a key area in my life that I have struggled with and at times still continue to struggle with.
God has taught me so much through my experience in the past year in a half. The most important thing that he was trying to teach me was that my trust, hope and confidence always need to be in him first. The problem in my life is that I was depending on a person to fulfill my hope, happiness and contentment. In other words I was placing someone on the throne of my heart and not God.
Here is God’s warning through Jeremiah of what happens when we do not rely on him and put our trust in man.
Jeremiah 17:5-10 - This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
I am sure we can all imagine something or someone that we have put too much hope, happiness and contentment in. It becomes an idol in our life that in our eyes is perfect and can never do wrong or disappoint. We forget that people are human and flawed and we also forget that whatever the things of this world offer are always temporary and fleeting. Our thinking becomes clouded by whatever or who ever we are trusting in. It becomes fantasy and not reality until we either lose it or we do not get what we want. It also takes away from our devotion to God and bearing fruit in our lives and doing work for his Kingdom. Our main focus then becomes whatever is taking up that time and place within our lives and other things such as family, work, and responsibilities become less important.
The result is disappointment, rejection, sadness, and our hearts get hurt. The damage can take much time to recover from.
When we put God first and truly trust him for everything, he is then ready to bless us. It will also eliminate and prepare us when a trial or storm comes into our life. Instead of falling apart and fearing the unknown, we can trust in the solid foundation and love of God to bring us through whatever happens. He will not disappoint nor forsake his children. Hebrews 13:5- Do not love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you. Matthew 6:33- Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
When I start to head down this road, God will allow certain obstacles, and the daily frustrations of life to test me on if I am putting him first. It serves as a wake call to me to get me back on track.
I pray daily that God would fill me with his peace, happiness and contentment. Sometimes I still struggle, but I know I am not perfect. I am humbled by who he is and how much he loves me and is always there no matter what.
