In Chapter 1 of A Confident Heart, author Renee Swope says, “He’s led me beyond believing in Him to really believing Him by relying on the power of His words and living like they are true no matter what my feelings tell me.”
It was as I read this a second time that it clicked, and I realized what a difference this makes. As I grow closer to God, I don’t just believe in Him, but I believe His Word and promises as truth. I know that I can rely on what He says, and that’s how I find my confidence and identity in Him.
Jeremiah 17:5, 7 (NLT) says…
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.’”When I look to find my confidence and security in myself and others, I set myself up for failure because it’s based on something that’s ever changing. My mood changes based on my feelings and situations I’m going through. Someone may hurt my feelings, or I may feel confident one moment, but by later in the day feel insecure about myself and what I’m doing. The way I act and react depends on how I’m feeling at the time, what mood I’m in, how stressed out I may be, and a host of other things going on around me. As humans, this is how we are, so how can I base my security on myself and others?
However, when I believe God—when I put my hope and trust in Him—I am changed. I look for my security and confidence in Him, and that keeps me grounded. Christ is the Rock, the Foundation. When I find my security in Him, I know He won’t change His mind about me. The Lord is unchanging. (Malachi 3:6a NLT) He’s the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. His love is never ending. While people will disappoint us and often leave us, God never will. Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)
Some days are harder than others. I fall back into relying on myself and what others think of me. I have to make an effort to silence my own thoughts and listen to God. The more I make the effort, the more natural it becomes to seek God. The more I seek Him, the more I want to hear from Him. And the more I hear from Him, the more I want to silence my own thoughts so when He whispers to me, I will hear Him.
In Christ,
Laura
As I look in my Bible and see my notes, I realize how often I have claimed these promises. But then, I also realize how I still struggle some days. God timed this study perfectly for me.
ReplyDeleteSome days I have to repeatedly claim God's promises and ask for His peace. How thankful I am that He's always there to hear me!
ReplyDelete~Laura