journey onWord with us

Have you ever wanted to run away to a deserted island?!  If for no other reason, than to avoid all of the issues that crowd your life?  On any given day there may be money problems, people problems, time problems, <fill in the blank> problems that drain energy from our lives. Until your journey ends, problems will continue to litter the path you are taking. Because problems (are you becoming weary of even the mention of the word?!) are as certain as death and taxes, it is imperative that we discuss a framework with which you can attack them.

I am sure you have noticed that your emotions play a big role in how you deal with daily struggles. Monday, most times, brings renewed energy and the “I can handle it” mentality. But by Wednesday (or maybe, Monday afternoon) feelings of “just get me to the end” begin to enter your thoughts, and you begin daydreaming about that deserted island. Living either up or down based on the daily grind, is not the Father’s desire for us. So how about a Biblical framework?!

In his classic work, “My Utmost for His Highest”, Oswald Chambers gives strong medicine for anyone who has accepted the free gift of salvation. Living well with all the problems is possible. Listen to the sage advice.

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and “Abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God. (July 4 entry)

Strong as they may be, his words speak truth. And as for that framework I mentioned before?  I believe it can be found in a childhood memory verse that sometimes just becomes great Christian speak, yet contains so much power when it is applied. Accept its counsel, and then practice the words of Oswald Chambers: Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and
lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

As you start a new week, take the Word with you. Not based on each day’s emotional level, but as a choice of the will. The verse you may have learned so long ago, holds great power for today.

• Trust – Determine to completely trust Him with this week’s journey. He is dependable.
• With all your heart – Trust him with your mind, will and emotions. Commit to do it daily.
• Lean not on your own understanding – Our understanding tends to be earthbound. The Father knows what is needed.
• In all your ways acknowledge him – Seek to know him in an intimate way, and involve Him in every aspect of your life.
• And he will make your paths straight – The benefit of following a command of God is that He will always come through. But remember, in His time and in the best way.

Maybe the familiarity of Proverbs 3:5-6 has caused you to venture away from its truth. But with every issue of life, every problem you have, and for every struggle on the daily grind, these verses work. Childhood was easier because trust was not cluttered with all the reasons not to.  Trust this week as a child would … completely!