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| What is more important in your life? Material/flesh desires or your relationship with God? |
When this starts to happen our focus slips away from our relationship with God, whether it be not going to him for the concern of our future in prayer or even feeling like you will never find that person you are meant to spend the rest of your life with.
"Those who live according to the flesh
have their minds set on what the flesh desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit
have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."
Romans 8:5
Let's start with the later one, feeling like you will never find the person you are meant to be with. Admit it, no one wants to be alone the rest of their lives. Even men want a wife and kid(s) one day. Yes, I have my guilty pleasure show of watching "Say Yes to the Dress," and that one day I will be trying on dresses. But where exactly does that longing feeling get us, only wanting that feeling and to find that person even more right? It will never give us that fulfilling love that we receive and feel from God, and no one will ever love us as much as God will. I always try to remember whenever I am feeling really lonely and wish that I had a significant other, that the only person I need is God. He loves us more than anyone ever will.
But seek first his kingdom and righteousness,
and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
If we look at society today, we see a lot of people spending more time working than almost anything else. It can tear apart families, social lives, and even take us away from our relationship with God. I have been guilty of this so many times, including now. I have days where I wake up at 4:15am and work until 8:30pm. I can't remember how many times, countless, I have gotten home at night from working all day and all I want to do is just sit on my couch and relax. I don't want to think about anything at all, so reading is the last thing on my mind. I usually end up spending most of my time prepping everything I need for the next day. But then I go to bed wishing I had more time to read my Bible and spend just that alone time with God. It always gives me clarity for situations, and sometimes it even feels like a slap in the face.
"No one can serve two masters. Either you
wil hate the one and love the other, or you will be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve both God and money."
Matthew 6:24
So how exactly do we fix this so that we are spending time with God? Start out small, whether it is making it a goal to go to church at least once a week, reading a Bible verse once a day (there's an app for that), or listening to a sermon on your computer while cooking or on your phone while I'm driving. For me personally, one of the things I do is write down in a journal my prayers. It holds me accountable for spending time with God. Even when I read my Bible I have a study plans and take notes as I go along. This is my interpretation of what I'm reading. Remember that when we place our worries with the Lord, he will take care of them. It might not be right away, but he has the perfect time for everything. The good and the bad.
I remember several years back when I got injured and I was so upset that I couldn't run, when running at the time was all I wanted to do. I was doing really well in the races that I was participating in, always placing in my age group. When I got injured I realized how much running races had taken over my life and had made me lose sight of my relationship with God. I believe still to this day that God had it planned for me to get injured so that I could refocus my life on him.
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| Trying to make something beautiful out of a bad situation. My knee injury several years back. |
Just as in the Bible, the people of Israel would stray from God and they would be handed over to another nation. It is only when they were in trouble that they would turn to God and God would send someone to deliver them. When they had that leader they were strong in worshiping the Lord. Find that leader for yourself, not just God alone as your leader, but a friend to do a Bible study with and tell each other your interpretations of what you read. Stay focused on God and your stress and worries will be taken from you.
I will live you with two verses.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
and he will establish your plans."
Provers 16:3
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each
day has enough trouble of its own."
Matthew 6:34
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