May 21, 2010

The Faith Grind

Waiting on God and don't know what to do? Does it suck? Do you just want to take the easy way out, if there is one? And if there's not, do you wish there was?

Well, have I got some advice for you! (but not an easy way out)

1. Pray. Duh. Pray that God would teach you what you need to be taught, and change in you what needs to be changed. Pray for #3 on this list. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 sums it up very simply when it says "Pray continually." I feel that I should also mention Psalm 66:18- "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the LORD would not have listened." Look at your life, the things you do, and see what you feel convicted about to cut out of your life; or anything that just plainly contradicts the Bible.

2. Read your bible, and do #1 before you read. Hebrews 4:12- "The Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even soul and spirit [as in, emotions and your true eternal self], bone and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." You will find stories you connect with and advice that applies directly to you.

3. Talk to a trusted Christian friend about it, on a regular basis. Pray that God will send you someone who's going through something similar, or has gone through it in the past; this will help immensely. Proverbs 27:17- "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

This list isn't exclusive; there are many other good things you can do. These are just the top three that have helped me out (although I would argue 1 & 2 should be on everyone's list. And probably 3). It's important to remember as well that God's a person, a being, not an equation or a checklist; these are just healthy things to do to get your relationship with him going and get your heart and attitude back on track.

2 comments:

  1. Great Scriptural principles. I would also add "persevere" to the list. James 1:12 (the whole chapter is great) tells us to persevere under trials and see what God is trying to show us. So frequently, we try to find the quickest way out of a tough situation, we miss the blessing God wants us to have.

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  2. Cool stuff, Zach. And I'd add one that has probably been the most powerful in my life: "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" (Psalm 46:10-11) Sometimes we approach God with our uncertainties and questions with this expectation of wanting our answers... NOW! But God calls us to rest in him. As the Psalm says, to not panic no matter how outrageous our circumstances become, but to discover the "streams of joy" that flow in God's presence. There's something awesome about being still and silent before the Lord. We become lost in the awesome wonder of him be glorified in all the earth, and that puts our own circumstances into perspective.

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