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I've been a Christian quite a long time, but I'm finally beginning to understand some things. For the longest time, I got frustrated that I attended church every week but my life never seemed to work right. I kept battling the same problems: fears of financial insecurity, angry outbursts, pessimism, and laziness. (Please don't ask my husband if that's all... I'm sure he could add to the list.)
Somewhere along the line, it finally hit me. Psalm 16:11 says, "You will show me the path of life; Your presence is fullness of joy. At your right hand are pleasures forevermore." God will show me the path of life. In God's presence is the fullness of joy. At God's right hand are pleasures forevermore. Without God by my side, that joy I crave just isn't coming.
I had thought accept Jesus and be happy. The end. Christian living, though, is Christian relationship with Jesus. Time spent reading the Bible (and discovering truths like Psalm 16:11), praying, and praising God leads to joy. It took a while for me to figure out how to do that. Here's what my faith looks like now... It's a lot more than going to church on Sunday.
Time reading the Bible:
- When I read, I go passage by passage so I can think about the words.
- I use a study Bible. I have several, but I started with the Life Application Study Bible which explains the ancient text as it applies today.
- I read cross-references. The side margin includes links from one verse to other verses in the Bible. Reading those links helps me understand the broader meaning of the verse.
- I keep a journal and write my thoughts and prayers as they are inspired by the scripture. I ask God to show me how to apply the scripture in my life.
Prayer:
- My prayer time is casual. I talk to Jesus just like I'd talk with you. No fancy words. He knows what I'm thinking about, my stresses, worries, ideas and joys.
- I tell him about prayer concerns my friends share with me and I trust him to handle their problems. (I used to try to figure out the solution for them, but I realize, that's HIS job!)
- I pray throughout the day, too. When I walk the dog, I pray for neighbors, especially my kids' friends. I pray for our family as I cook dinner. I throw up a quick prayer, "Jesus hold my tongue." when I want to scream at the kids.... OR "Jesus, I'm sorry." after I scream at them!
- I pray with my husband and kids. It keeps us close.
- Perhaps the thing I've learned to do best is LISTEN!!! Prayer is a conversation with Jesus. Listening is essential to a good conversation. He speaks, though it's hard to explain. Just try it. You'll see!
Praise!
- Praising God for all the good He does is exhilarating. Truly!
- Traffic jam? Praise God that you have a car to get stuck in.
- Kids driving you crazy? Praise God that you have been blessed with children. So many people long for the arguments you must endure... they don't have kids.
- Sick of macaroni and cheese again? Praise God for the meal on your table. Much of the world is going hungry.
- Keeping the temperature set at 67 to keep utility costs down? Praise God for your sweater -- or sweatshirt.
- Sunny skies out your window? Rejoice that He has given you another day! (You can praise for rain too :D)
- Basically, God blesses us with so much. We get so caught up in our wants and desires that we miss out. Choose not to miss the little things He does for you each day. You'll be amazed at your blessings once you start looking for them!
Most of my life, I've been "in charge." Or I thought I was. Really, though, I was captive to my emotions, fears and worries. They dictated how I lived. It was not fun! Now, God is in charge. He is the center and He's doing a great job! The more I trust Him the easier it is to trust Him more. (Yes, you can reread that sentence. It DOES make sense!!!)
Who's in charge of your life? Is it you? Your feelings? Fears? Emotions? Finances? Or is it God?
If you happened to read yesterday's post, Paint your world happy, I hope this post helps you understand how this new relationship with Jesus works. It's also important that you do get involved in a church. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Accountability and encouragement from other Christians makes this all so much easier to understand.
3 comments:
One saying that I need to keep close to me is "let your faith be bigger than your fear." I find a lot of times I don't step out of my comfort zone or reach beyond myself more out of fear. It's then that I have to remember the one who is in control and that it's not me. Great post Karen! Blessings are EVERYWHERE!
You know, I think this is one of those lessons to take a lifetime to sink it, which is both frustrating and invigorating. When I finally relinquish control to God in one area of my life, another area is just waiting to be dealt with. Sometimes it seems daunting, but then I remember how amazing it is that our God is so big, yet He's so patient with us! A lifetime of us holding onto things in our lives and He still responds to us with love, mercy, and grace.
Thanks so much for sharing more about your personal walk with the Lord! I love hearing how others commune with Him, talk to Him, and reach out to Him!
This is the discussion that I have with my husband. Being Christian means working on your relationship with God all day, every day. Not just once a week or once a month or only on holidays. Unfortunately he saw his mother go only on holidays yet he was sent to a Catholic church school every day. It's the classic "do as I say, not as I do" frustration. But he's learning, show but sure!
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