“I can’t believe I did it again.” The middle-aged, blonde-haired woman shared her story of relapsing from alcohol just three days short of nine years of sobriety. Her hands trembled and her voice shook.
It took courage to stand before others and share her failure, yet this woman did. And when she brushed aside pride for humility, room opened for healing.
When I find myself taking matters into my own hands, it’s a sure sign of self-sufficiency and thinking I know better than God. My job as a Christian is to lay my concerns at the cross with thanksgiving and praise instead of the delusional thinking that I can manage the world. When I swallow my pride, repent, and submit to His promises, I am amazed at the blessings He places before me. I notice that situations turn out far better than expected, apart from my control.
It’s easy to come before the Lord when our requests are many and our victories are few, but we often neglect to delight in Him when life is good. Though we all have days where time is short, we must be aware, or rather beware, that consistent time away from God in the form of business, in mind, or in action, may be a sign of pride. And pride comes before the fall.
Each day is a chance to grow closer or farther away from God. Neutrality or stagnation is a detriment in any relationship but this can be overcome by standing firm. Standing firm is the most productive action in a Christian’s life when we repent, pray, and humble
ourselves before the Lord daily, regardless of our circumstances. It doesn’t matter how many years of sobriety, weight lost, or habits broken, we all have one day at a time to praise and thank God, and to humble ourselves before the Almighty One.
Enjoy moments of refreshing from the Lord and remember to always stand firm.
(Photo courtesy of office.microsoft.com.)
Tricia Arner resides in Mid-Michigan with her husband and two children. Tricia had a spiritual awakening by God in 1997 and loves much because she has been forgiven much. Tricia works as Administrative/Marketing Support for a financial firm. Tricia enjoys writing about Christian struggles of the heart and mind. She is on the Advisory Board at the Saginaw Rescue Mission as well as a monthly speaker for their Women’s Chapel and teaches weekly Bible study. She also serves at her local church. If you desire encouragement to get in the Word more often, go to www.scriptureblog.net and add your favorite verse each day.