Last week an unplanned, but nonetheless appropriate interjection of one of my past articles substituted the current train of thought. However, after reading over several of my thoughts for the last few weeks I noticed a theme of uncertainty and desperation. With the purpose of this devotional to encourage, I humbly had to ask for forgiveness to the Lord for my attitude. I really came to a question of which way is right? Sometimes trials and tests make you feel as if you are the only one being tested or tried, but that is such a limited perspective.
In a desire to complete the thought prior to last week’s interjection (we’ll conclude “Remove my Crutches Lord Part-2” next week 10/26) I would like to offer just a few thoughts on how I’m learning to separate right from wrong in times of desperation and uncertainty. Maybe these can be a blessing to you!
1. Focus on God. I recently began a journey into the book of Psalms to learn more about the character of God. I have been enriched and blessed in learning the psalmist perspective with the God he served. My desire is to gain a deeper understanding of the God that I worship.
2. Focus on Daily Needs. I would be the first one to tell you to plan for the future as a matter of fact, part of that is my job as a financial advisor. However, when it comes to the believer that is walking by faith you can sometimes entangle yourself unnecessarily in worry and anxiety by focusing on what you cannot predict, handle or control—the future. I have found that just living for the day that God has blessed me with and enjoying each moment by praising and thanking him throughout the day gets me to the next.
3. Focus on Loving Others. This can be hard considering the circumstance. However, God showed us love by loving us while we were yet sinners allowing Jesus to die on the cross (see Romans 5:8). He preceded that by sending Jesus into the world to save us from our sins (see John 3:16). Therefore, we have a guideline by which we can follow the perfect example of love for all mankind, not just the ones that are kind to us.
4. Focus on Serving Others. Another tough one. But I tell my kids all the time that when they start feeling bad about something that has happened to them to get their mind off themselves. That is usually followed by suggesting that they do something for someone besides themselves. It is weird how that pity party works, in that you always feel so down which precludes allowing you to think of anyone but yourself. But the only way to escape that train of thought is to start doing something for someone else. Jesus’ focus was service. He being God himself thought it not robbery with God to make himself as a man and to suffer and serve in human flesh for 33 years on this earth (see Philippians 2:5-8). Funny, I will be 33 next year and I have not even spent a whole year serving just others let alone a lifetime like Jesus.