Where Will You Turn?

October 24, 2011

Bible Verse: 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

When the circumstances of your life seem overwhelming or even unbearable, where do you turn? When your life is pulled in a million directions, where do you go to recharge? When the stress of family or relational issues seem irreconcilable, where do you turn for solace?

Do you turn to the ear of a good friend? Do you escape by curling up with a good book or following your favorite show on television? Do you drown your sorrows by purchasing another fabulous pair of shoes?, or perhaps indulge in your favorite fried food or decadent dessert? Or do you simply dive in to accomplish more at work as a distraction?
Certainly there are as many things we run to as there are problems, and not all are bad; however, if they are the very first things we run to, I want to challenge you to reconsider this pattern.

When we search for significance, reassurance, peace or wisdom outside of our Father, God, we not only set ourselves up for further disappointment, but also miss out on further intimacy with Him. Beyond that, as His children, we are commanded to take our anxious thoughts captive in light of His truth. We are to continually pray, and trust Him with all aspects of our lives according to His Word.

Remember today that the Gospel truth that you have embraced for forgiveness of your sins, and your salvation, is the same Gospel truth that lives in and through you every day. Its power should flow through every aspect of our lives, such as our work and our personal lives; the triumphs, the things we are sure about, as well as the disappointments, the heartaches and the uncertainties. If you are constantly stressed and worried, constantly insecure and consumed with doubts, that is telling of your heart.

Run to Him and His Word, dear friend, no matter the circumstance!
Certainly we do not know how life’s issues will work out, but what we do have, is faith in the Who — the One on the throne, and in our lives, walking with us, growing us, bringing Himself glory through our surrendered lives, and giving us joy despite what we may be going through.

Feast on His Word, dear Christian. It is your sustenance for strength as you are reminded who you are in Him. Books about the Lord or spiritual things do not replace His very Words.

Dig Deeper

This month's Bible Study Tip:

Start reading through Ephesian slowly and make special note on a separate piece of paper of what you learn about God, and You (a believer). Then as you get further into the book, make special note also of any instruction given to you. If you choose to mark it in your study Bible, one way to mark is to put a triangle over references to God, a different color circle over references to “you” or believers, and underline instructions in another color. Marking the text helps you slow down and have better understanding on what the text is saying to you and how it applies. Reading the book chapter by chapter helps you keep things in context rather than picking a verse out here and there.