THANKFUL

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Good morning, Jesus.

Lord, how do I measure up? When adversity comes around, do I trust you or do I fall back on my own efforts to right the situations? One of your spiritual gifts is self-control, but what does that mean. Many folks who don’t know you have self-control, but as your follower, you have a different meaning. Living in this fallen world, we’re faced with situations where must choose to trust you or using our earthly wisdom and take matters into our own hands. What spiritual lessons did I miss when I jumped headlong into a problem without consulting you? When you wanted to let hard times lead me to higher faith, did my resistance to make lifestyle changes hinder your higher purpose for me? Looking at the mountain in front of me, did I choose to gripe and complain instead of asking you what you wanted to show me? How often did/do I trust in my job, a comfortable bank account, unique talents, or my tendency to manipulate people to get what I want rather than trust the one who forgave my sins, gave me new life, and all these blessings? What signal am I sending to those who, after hearing me talk about trusting you, are watching me to see how much I live by those convictions?

My prayer, Lord God, is when adversity knocks on my door, if relationships go sour, sickness comes unexpectantly, or my journey of faith leads me to a mountain I can’t climb, I will choose to trust you regardless of what I see. May I never withhold praise from you for all you have done in my life. You are a good God, working the good in all situations for your followers.

Help us all who call you Lord and Savior give you praise and thanks, even when illness and afflictions linger. Help us choose to use these troubles to spotlight your goodness, so that skeptics will see how you strengthen all who call on you.

Praying for more of your self-control, Lord God. Amen!