Stability-Firm, steadiness, strength to stand without being moved or overthrown
In life, we have hurdles, obstacles, and shortfalls its all part of life well, its what life is. So at times we feel like it is going to get the best of us. HOw do we deal with that? Have you ever felt trapped in other people expectations? Do you feel guilty or controlled by other people? Are you afraid of hurting someones feelings? Is your emotions and attitude sometimes, unpredictable? Do you feel compelled to help other people all of the time?
When life hurts, we need a safe place. We are unable to be strong all of the time. As a woman, we tend to try to push things down deep and keep moving, bottlling things up. It doesnt help. When life doesnt make sense, when everything around us spins out of control, the only safe place to run is Jesus.
Continually, the Bible tells us, that God promises to be there and never leave us. We ponder these promises and keep meandering through life and continue to push our problems deep down within us and go on with life, gradually trying to convince ourself not to flip out even though we feel that everything is out of control.
Psalms 46:1 "God is a safeplace to hide, ready to help when we need Him"
Psalms 24:4 "even when the way goes to death valley, I am not afraid when you walk at my side"
Psalms 18:1 God is my bedrock under my feet, the castle in which I live, my rescuing knight
Psalm 62:1-2 Everything I needs comes from Him...he s a sold rock under my feet breath room for my soul"
How often do we make time for ourselves? Sometimes, we just need to rest. Not work, strive, just rest and let Jesus carry us. Regardless of what is going on in our lives, God is always faithful and trustworthy. Gods love is unconditional. We can pour our hearts into Him and know that he hears even our most faint whisper.
Boundaries. Why do we live without them?
we can easily believe that negelecting ourselves to help others is what God wants. So we say yes, to any request because we want to please God.
We can draw our identity from rescuing other people from being strong, So we stuff our own problems and pain, over work ourselves, and our time and energy is left focusing on making people happy.
we are afraid to say 'no'to our friends and family for the plain fear of rejection, fear of upseting someone, fear of disappointing someone- we feel like 'no' is I dont love you ---- guess what? ITS NOT!
Fear - is unworthy of a Christians vocabulary. Fear dishonors God. He telss us throughout His word, what shall you fear?
Matthew 19:18 commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Do you respect value and love yourself? If we dont, we simply go through life willing to do anything trying to find that love. What good are we to other people if we are empty, overscheduled, overworked all we are able to give is left over in our service to others. What if we allow ourselves to get fed by the word, take time for ourselves we may not have as much time to give but the time we do give will be so much more.
How can we feel the stability, feel God as our rock if we dont let Him lead us, let Him be our rock to stand on, let Him fill us. It all appears that we have a 'scheduling conflict?'
First, take time to look at your schedule.
1) do you set aside time for rest?
2) do you set aside time to talk to God?
3) do you set aside time to get into the word?
we cannot jam pack every single moment of our day, we need to set boundaries People are always going to need us, always wanting more.
Lets talk about Jesus' schedule while He was here on earth. Remember Jesus who is God, set aside alot of time to spend with God. Not working-, doing service, just being. The bible tells us that even when thousands of people were needy Jesus still took a break.
Mark 6:31
"come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest" Jesus said this to His disciples. - He is saying this to you.
You are precious and valuable, not becuase of what you do but, because you were created in His image. Apostle Paul tells us in Corinthians 6:19-20 ' you are not your own, you were bought at a price therefore, honor God with your body'
You and me, we arent free agents, we exist to bring glory to GOd. To point people to Jesus. When we live as free as Gods children, we are driven by love not fear. By humility, self abasment we help serve others not to ward feelings of guilt not to feel good about ourselves, but because God is overflowing in our lives, we do it because it brings joy to us. HOw ca we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders? Thats Gods deal. We have to seek the wisdom of God to allow ourselves to say no, and realize the stars arent going to fall out of the sky.
We love, give and serve but we dont have to kill our self trying to prove something but, serve out of love, using the gift the Lord gave us. (Epehsians 2:10) The world, our kids, parents, family and friends is needy and we cannot meet all of their needs. We have to have wisdom to discern the difference between 'good things' and 'God things'
We cannot define ourselves by what we do, otherwise it will be crazy and unpredictable
YOu dont exist to fix other people and their problems, only God can do that
Be careful what you say 'yes' too-- it can control you.
Dont be caught up in the rat race of life, God wants much more for us He wants to reveal a deep, intimate relationship through His life changing truths. Spending time with Jesus, it cant be put on the back burner. What do you put before Jesus in your life? Spending time with Jesus. Its not a duty, not an obligation - its a priviledge.
Put on a new self.
Colossions 2:6-7 'therefore as you have recieved Christ Jesus The Lord, so walk in Him. Having built firmly rooted and now being built up and established in your faith just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitiude.
Colossions 3:1-2 'therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, Set your mind to the things above not on the things that are on earth.'
Colossions 3:17 'whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of Lord Jesus, giving Thanks through HIm to God the Father."
The Lord doesnt want complacent Christians, weighed down by the world, it nullifies our efforts for Christ. As Christians, we have assurance of salvation, very easily we find ourself getting just enough GOd to get by, pleasing ourselves rather than serving God.
Has complacency wrapped itself around your heart today? Dont let your fire burn out. Let the Holy Spirit fill you, anew.
Get in the word, start now Read Ephesians 4:22-23.
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