A Matter of My Will and Choice

And the work of righteousness will be peace, and the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Isaiah 32:17 (New American Standard Bible)

God desires to instill within me peace, quietness, and confidence. When those qualities are missing in my internal world and I find myself walking in turmoil, restlessness, and uncertainty, I can be sure something has gone awry. While there are bound to be times when life gets messy and off-centered, there is need for concern when I find myself unable to move forward and regain my sure footedness. When my thought life, words, and emotions become wrapped and entrapped in negativity, self pity, and prolonged grief, I can be sure I have taken my eyes off God, closed my heart to His work, and embraced lies over truth. What may start out as a reaction to circumstances can quickly become a place in which I willfully choose to dwell.

There are numerous things in life that I do not necessarily cause, choose, or wish to happen. While I may not be personally responsible for their introduction into my life, I am responsible for the way I respond to them and the duration of time I allow them to negatively affect me. When I have crossed the line from being hurt to becoming bitter, I have entered a place that is far removed from peace, quietness, and confidence. God in His graciousness and wisdom brings about enough discomfort and pain to coax me into a desire for change. It is never His intent that I continue to live in a prison of my own making.

So what does it take to move out of an emotional box that I have constructed and crawled into? TRUTH!!!! I must be willing to see the truth about my circumstances, heart, and mindset in light of what God says and does. Getting me to that point may have many avenues. At all times, I have God’s Spirit living in me and if I listen to Him He will reveal heart changing truth to me. I have God’s Word which will definitely show me truth that is meant to set me free. I also have truth tellers in my life who are connected enough to the heart of God to plainly tell me the very things I need to hear. While they assure me of their love for me and interest in me, they know better than to sugar coat or water down the truth God leads them to share.

Many have been the times when these individuals have come along side me to encourage me to once again see the truth and embrace it. While their hearts go out to me and their prayers go up for me, they know better than to simply give me a listening ear, strong shoulder, and an endless supply of sympathy. They consistently and lovingly speak the truth and as I receive it for myself I experience a return of peace, quietness, and confidence. Amazing!

Father, thank you that when my will and emotions choose a wrong path, You graciously and purposefully redirect my mind and my steps. Amen.

Your Name - Phillips, Craig, & Dean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=othYj8jWSwc

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