Relying on God: Day 2

Why is it we find it so hard to rely on God, to give up our constant struggle and worry, and have confidence He will be there for us?  I struggle with trying to "work out" everything, often worrying excessively over what are, in eternal perspective, small things.  Why can't I just let go and let God?

Part of the reason I think I struggle in totally submitting to letting God guide my life is I feel I am unworthy of His love and care.  And, yes, I am unworthy, as is everyone. But, that has never stopped God from loving and caring.  He is always there for us, if we just let Him.

The hardest thing for us, I think, is to be totally dependent on another. It is our nature to try to work out everything on our own.  We are taught from early childhood, "Do it yourself.  You can do it."  As young toddlers, I remember each of my eight children declaring, "I do it myself!"  That is a part of maturity.  But, maturing in God, in our spirituality, means letting God do it. 

I am not saying to just sit back and depend on God to do it all.  No, He means for us to do what we can to make our life and the lives of others better.  He expects us to actively worship and serve Him.  What I am talking about is to live in the confidence of God and His grace.

Truly trusting in God is to know that, as the Bible says:

                   

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  
( Romans 8:28 (New International Version, ©2010)

To me, this verse is not promising that all things will be good. Rather, it tells me that God works for the good.  Whatever happens in our lives, God turns it into good for us if we love and follow him. 

I have been as close to homelessness as I could possibly get in the recent past.  Yes, I worried and wondered where God was when I needed him.  I am not proud of those feelings, but understand where they came from.  But, in this need, God has shown me much more than I would ever have learned in any other way.  Through His work in my life in all this, I have learned to love and accept others. I have learned that there is good in all if we look for it.  I have learned how others care for me.  I have learned how much I am loved by my family, and I have learned a new definition for family.

We need to know we can totally rely on God.  Jesus said, in Luke 12:29,30:
²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye ofdoubtful mind. ³⁰For all these things do the nations of the world seek after:and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

Journaling assignment:

Part of spiritual growth is learning to fully trust and lean on God. For your journaling assignment today, write in your journal what is bothering you most about the physical world.  What do you need or want, or what do you feel is lacking in this world. Think more along the lines of physical needs/wants/lacks, such as adequate housing, a job, retirement savings, or some other such thing. You can include the spiritual if you wish, but try to examine your physical needs.  Begin it thus: "Lord, I know You love and care for me. I know you supply my needs, and delight in doing so. But, Lord, today I am concerned about my need of _____________. I know I need to depend on You, but I find it hard because _______________." 
Feel free to share what you want, or not share at all, as you wish.  If you do want to share, leave a comment.  We can encourage each other in this way
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Day 2 Scripture(s):

Luke 12:22-32 (King James Version)

 ²²And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.
 ²³The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.
 ²⁴Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?
 ²⁵And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?
 ²⁶If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?
 ²⁷Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
 ²⁸If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
 ²⁹And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
 ³⁰For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.
 ³¹But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.
 ³²Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.

Play it again, Sam!

As usual, I started with a bang, then promptly got sidetracked. It is my ADHD nature, something I struggle with daily. I am going to begin again, with Day 1, posted on March 27, 2009. If you want to follow along, please start there. You can post your assignments if you wish, in 'comments,' but the nature of this blog is very personal, so you might just want to post in the comments that you have completed the assignment. Feel free to share any insights this assignment brought to you, without having to reveal any personal thoughts you don't wish to share publicly.

Let's start today and move forward through this journey. Though journaling is best as a lifelong project, for our purposes here, we will start with a 40-day journey. Just a Christ spent 40 days after his baptism, we will spend 40 days in personal growth. At the end of this 40 days, you should be much closer to God, a more spiritually grown person.

I am reposting Day One here to make it easier to find.

DAY ONE

Spiritual Growth is a Personal Thing

No one can fully tell you what you need for spiritual growth. Only you know what relationship you have with God at any time. You know what is "between you" and God. True, people can guide you in your search, but ultimately, it is YOU who is able to connect with God on your level and grow in the way you need to.

Journaling is one way to get in touch with yourself. Journaling is where you can be honest, with yourself and with God. Journaling is a very personal activity, just like spiritual growth is. Through journaling, you can truthfully look at your relationship with God and look at what is missing.

Just because you know what is missing, or maybe only that something is missing, doesn't mean you know how to fix it. That is where a journaling tutor can help. You need to know what to look at in depth, based on your needs. But, the bottom line is that it is your responsibility to look at what you need.

Prayer is a big part of building a relationship with God. Begin each journaling session with a prayer that God, through the Holy Spirit, will guide you in the way you need to go.

Sometimes journaling involves looking at something that is coming between you and your relationship with God. You need to look at that in depth. That is the crux of our journaling assignment today. You have to deal with what is preventing your relationship with God.

Journaling Assignment: Today, begin to just write as if you are talking to God, ie. "God, today I know that my relationship is not what I want it to be. I don't know exactly what the problem is, but help me, God, to look honestly at it. I know if have been caught up in dealing with _______." You fill in what that something is. Then, write all about that thing. Look at what you can do about it, what you can't, and purpose to let that part go. Do what you can, turn the other over to God, and let the interruption go. Write in depth to God about how that thing hurts, worries, or is so important. Then, write about how you can turn that over to God, doing what you can about the situation. You are not doing anything about it, just telling God what you can do. Don't forget to pray before journaling, then pray again at the end to turn it over to God and ask for his strength to go forward.

Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.

I wish to add a scripture reading to Day One, as I will each day.

Day one scripture(s):

Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (New International Version, ©2010)

⁵ Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.

Spiritual Growth is a Personal Thing

No one can fully tell you what you need for spiritual growth. Only you know what relationship you have with God at any time. You know what is "between you" and God. True, people can guide you in your search, but ultimately, it is YOU who is able to connect with God on your level and grow in the way you need to.

Journaling is one way to get in touch with yourself. Journaling is where you can be honest, with yourself and with God. Journaling is a very personal activity, just like spiritual growth is. Through journaling, you can truthfully look at your relationship with God and look at what is missing.

Just because you know what is missing, or maybe only that something is missing, doesn't mean you know how to fix it. That is where a journaling tutor can help. You need to know what to look at in depth, based on your needs. But, the bottom line is that it is your responsibility to look at what you need.

Prayer is a big part of building a relationship with God. Begin each journaling session with a prayer that God, through the Holy Spirit, will guide you in the way you need to go.

Sometimes journaling involves looking at something that is coming between you and your relationship with God. You need to look at that in depth. That is the crux of our journaling assignment today. You have to deal with what is preventing your relationship with God.

Journaling Assignment: Today, begin to just write as if you are talking to God, ie. "God, today I know that my relationship is not what I want it to be. I don't know exactly what the problem is, but help me, God, to look honestly at it. I know if have been caught up in dealing with _______." You fill in what that something is. Then, write all about that thing. Look at what you can do about it, what you can't, and purpose to let that part go. Do what you can, turn the other over to God, and let the interruption go. Write in depth to God about how that thing hurts, worries, or is so important. Then, write about how you can turn that over to God, doing what you can about the situation. You are not doing anything about it, just telling God what you can do. Don't forget to pray before journaling, then pray again at the end to turn it over to God and ask for his strength to go forward.

Coming soon: Book and study course on Journaling Through Spiritual Growth. Leave a comment if you want to be included on the list to be notified when it releases.