Breaking the Pattern

They will sanctify My name; indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. Those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction. Isaiah 29:23,24 (New American Standard Bible)

I have learned that when an uneasy feeling settles over me or I begin feeling shaky internally, it is time to do some searching. It is not enough to know there is a problem, I must get to the root of the problem. The “symptoms” I am experiencing will not go away without dealing with what is causing them to surface. Today’s verse shows me the issue and the solution. My shift of emotions, attitudes, and feelings can usually be traced back to error filled thinking and a critical spirit. God’s answer for me is to know the truth, accept His instruction, sanctify (revere) His name, and stand in awe of Him. But these are only words on a page unless I put them into practice on a daily basis.

James reminds me to be a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer. Truth only changes me as I apply it to my life. So what makes this so difficult to do? Many things. When one has spent years making wrong choices of thoughts and emotions there is a pattern that must be broken. The strongholds of idolatry and self pity must be acknowledged and torn down. What use to feel good and seem right must be seen as detrimental to my spiritual, emotional, and social health. When one has grown accustomed to jumping into one mental pit after another there comes a time when staying out of the pit must be a priority and accepted choice.

The words of 2 Chronicles 25:8 come to mind which says, “The Lord has much more to give you than this.” The “this” He is referring to for me this morning is all the ways I have learned to cope and survive emotionally. As I make my way around an all too familiar “spiral” God is letting me know He has a better way for me to think and act than what I have been use to. While I may feel shaky, He is reminding me of all the solid things in my life such as His Word, His Spirit, and Himself. This is what He is using to redirect my focus and my heart back toward Himself. As they take center stage for me, the rest begins to lessen and weaken. Calm replaces turmoil. Joy replaces discontentment. Peace replaces uneasiness. It is continually realigning myself to trusting, believing, acknowledging, and accepting Who God is and His ways for me. Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:13). Change and growth take God, time, and continual cooperation. With that I move forward instead of down. Praise Him!

Father, the old ways are slowly giving way to Your ways. How You long to free me from what has been a way of life for me. Keep teaching me to turn to You and abide in You. Amen.

Change My Heart Oh God - Eddie Espinosa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEtsHWFE6-w

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.