By Pastor Naomi Mitchell
For Carter County Times
Am I enough? Am I growing enough in the Lord? Is God disappointed in me? Am I close enough to God for Him to answer my prayers? Have I done enough today to please God? We are troubled with these types of thoughts and wonder why we can’t ever have peace of mind feeling we are on the right track. We fail, feel guilty, focus on ourselves, then we try harder and we fail again. We feel frustrated with ourselves in our walk as a Christian.
If you have been asking these questions, just stop for a moment and notice where every question points to. Yep, right back to yourself. Back to a servant’s mindset instead of a son. Whether you realize it or not you have been measuring yourself by yourself. Too many times, and quite often than not, you compare yourself to others. You look inward to yourself for assurance instead of looking to Jesus and what God’s word has to say. It says in 2 Corinthians 10:12, “… measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.”
The real problem isn’t our discipline in what we try to do as a Christian. It is what we are focusing on. We spend more time examining ourselves than looking to Christ. Hebrews 12:2 says, “looking to Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Galatians 4:6-7 says, “And because you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”
As Christians we fail to understand that we are now sons of God. God didn’t just forgive us of our sins and then leave us to walk alone. He brought us into His family and gave us His name. We are now his children, and we have access to Him as Father. Romans 8:15 says, “For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
So, our feelings aren’t always telling the true reality. If we don’t “feel” God close to us, we assume He is far in distance. Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Romans 8:38-39 says, “Nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” I am so glad God’s presence is not determined by my feelings. God’s promises do not fail and neither does He lie!
God is not waiting for us to improve or to have a better week after we have done everything we felt would please Him. Ephesians 1:6 says, “He hath made us accepted in the beloved.” Colossians 2:10 says, “And ye are complete in Him.” Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, now are you sons of God.” God’s beautiful view of you, His beloved child, is rooted in Christ Jesus. Not your imperfect performance. Stop the questions. Stop trying so hard. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come unto me…I will give you rest…ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my burden is easy, and my yoke is light.” The more your eyes are fixed on Christ, the more you will rest and enjoy your walk with the Lord!
Amen! So be it!
JOYFUL House of Prayer, 2519 Quicksand Road, (P.O. Box 856), Jackson, Kentucky 41339. Send Comments/Prayer Requests: Pastornaomi4god@gmail.com. FB: JoyfulHoprayer. Services: 10am Sunday and Joyful Kids Class at 10:30am, 6:30pm Thursdays. Radio Broadcast: WJSN 97.3 FM & WEKG 81.0 AM Sundays 1-2pm.
