Steady
What does it mean to you to steady yourself? What does that look like and how do you accomplish this? Over the past several weeks there have been many challenges that I am having to face. Some that I brought on myself by saying “yes” to something. Others were out of my control. It is the latter ones that rock me inside my core.
The challenges that we face in life will test our character and ultimately determine what kind of person we will be. But what if we mess up in the midst of our struggle? Are we then labeled by others as a hypocrite?
I’m sure you all know the types of challenges I’m talking about. Should we submit or follow the masses? Do we respond to the potential threat? Do we yell back or complain?
What do we do when our character is being questioned and hard things are lurking about? When it is one of those situations that feel like whichever path is chosen there will be loss.
I do know that throughout scripture, several of the disciples are told to stand firm. Let’s take a look. Let’s look at Gideon in Judges 6. Gideon was the son of Joash the Abiezrite. He was an ordinary guy that God called to do something extraordinary. We see throughout this story that at times Gideon was afraid, but he obeyed and was protected by the Lord. Throughout these chapters we see that he had a relationship with God. He was constantly communicating with him and that the Lord brought people to him. I can only imagine how many in his town wanted to kill him for destroying the Baal alter. The dirty looks he must have gotten. How much of an outcast he might have felt.
Friends, when we feel like things are out of control or maybe like our own spirits are out of control, draw close to the Lord, be still, and stand firm. Often, praying and doing nothing with our flesh is the best course of action. Did you know the word waiting is a verb. It is also something we have to condition ourselves to be able to do with grace. Waiting requires patience, which is one of the fruits of the spirit. These are things that God commands us to practice.
In 2 Timothy 3: 1-17 Paul explains that we will have trials and difficulty, but that you and I need to know the Bible. He calls it “the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” Sisters, the Bible is what we need to look to as our “how to live life manual.” I don’t always get it right, but I know that what is within the pages of my Bible is for my good. Things that will protect me from harm.
Dear ones, if you find your hearts are weary and your souls are stirring, remember to pray and pick up your Bible. Find comfort in the truth that it brings and hold on to the promises of God.
Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the Bible. That we are able to read it freely in our homes and in public places, Lord what a blessing that is. Father, bring peace to those that are undergoing trials for your name. Help us to cling to you and steady our minds with your truth. In Jesus name, Amen.