This devotional is SO ME!
Most of my life I have attempted to be three steps ahead of potential problems/situations. Always trying to avoid an incident which could in turn emotionally/physically hurt me. I would try and predict the worst case scenario. Then try and have the right answer or solution way ahead of time. Anticipate the next move. Plan my strategy.
All this needless planning has taken its toll on me over the years. My mind would at times be fried with worry trying to figure out the next move in order to protect myself. In many cases my strategy paid off. Not without sheer brain exhaustion though.
I have a strong will in protecting myself. But, I am learning and understanding more that there is a simpler way, and it does not include me ‘first.’
Joyce shares below, if we let the Holy Spirit direct our paths, life would be so much easier for us.
I really need to heed the words written below.
I hope you will be blessed by this devotional as I have:
But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour and moment, for it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
— Matthew 10:19-20
Do you realize how much peace can be ours if we will just stop trying to figure out in advance everything we need to say and do in every situation we face in life? If you are like me, you wear yourself out trying to prepare yourself for every situation you are likely to run into in the future. You try to plan and rehearse every word you are going to speak in every interview and conversation. Jesus is telling us here that we don't have to do that. He is telling us to trust all that to the Holy Spirit Who will guide us and direct us.
When we do have to make hard decisions or solve complicated problems or confront difficult people, the Holy Spirit will decide the proper time and the best approach. He will give us the right words to say. Until then, we don't need to bother ourselves with it. If we will listen to what the Lord is telling us here in this passage, not only will we have more peace, but we will also enjoy more success. Because when we do have to speak, what comes out of our mouth will be spiritual wisdom from God and not something that we have come up with out of our own carnal mind.
From the book New Day, New You: 365 Devotions for Enjoying Everyday Life by Joyce Meyer. Copyright © 2007 by Joyce Meyer. Published by FaithWords. All rights reserved.
Oh that is just perfect! There is never a need for worry and anxiety, if we just trust and have faith. I always seem to get exactly what I need at just the right second...always! May peace be with you tonight.
ReplyDeleteI guess the proverbial "let go and let God" is what ultimately frees us.
ReplyDeleteWe all can gain something from JOyce's devotional. Great stuff.
ReplyDeleteI came to this realization this morning, myself. Actually, I believe God helped me realize it. Awesome post!
ReplyDeleteI too, should take heed and try to keep that in mind, JBR. Thank you for the post dear!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, bless you.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful reminder. I will take it into my day.
ReplyDeletePG
Live and act in the moment. When you think on it you begin to see there is actually nothing else.
ReplyDeleteThe Holy Spirit is the only way to go! Joyce is an excellent teacher and someone who has lived through many trials to know what she's talking about. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for us to depend on and to help us. It's a shame that many times we do not honor this. Great post.
ReplyDeleteJBR,
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I have a meeting with someone next week. Glad to know the Holy Spirit will be there helping. :)
Blessings,
Tammy
My forgetter needs to hear good things over, and over, and over. It is one reason I go to meetings daily.
ReplyDeleteAnd life IS easier when I let God be in charge. You would think I'd just "turn my life and my will over to God's care" ALL the time, right? I need the daily reminder.
Good post, and Thanks!
Wonderful post JBR! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is most of us, isn't it? Looking one step back or one step forward all the time. Great reminder that we can walk in peace.
ReplyDeleteTurning things over to God is something I am only beginning to learn how to do. This was a great reminder, thank you.
ReplyDeleteWonderful post! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhy do you think people fight it so? This is a very curious thing to me and I'm not asking facetiously, I honestly wonder why.
ReplyDeleteThis is a reality check, thanks for sharing it.
Lord, I needed to hear this. Sometimes all it takes is for me to shut my mouth.
ReplyDeleteOh, do I recognize the desire to control everything and plan ahead for everything that could go wrong! Fortunately, that's not how I am, most of the time, now. But I remember how exhausting it was when I was.
ReplyDeleteYet another thing we have in common, friend - thank you for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how a verse can speak to you so differently when you need it to. Marking this in my Bible.
ReplyDeleteIt's relaxing and soothing to read.
ReplyDeleteOh boy, is this ME! Thank you for describing the straight-jacket of worry and anxiety that I put myself through so often, and THANK YOU for the freedom thoughts :)
ReplyDelete