Proverbs 25:19
A friend you can't trust in times of trouble is like having a toothache or a sore foot.
Galatians 5:16
If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
The incredible devastation of tornadoes that have ravaged our nation this week is truly mind boggling. My heart is broken for the victims of these storms, and I am praying that God will care for each of them and offer comfort and hope in the days ahead. But you may have seen the news video of the incredible tornado that was barreling down on one city, and a woman can be heard clearly praying for the storm to miss her. Miraculously, the storm turns, and her home is spared… but her town is wiped away.
I will be the first to tell you that I would have prayed exactly as that woman did… and I am not saying she was selfish or wrong to do so. But when fear sets in, we often call things into our life that we don’t need. If we could get into a mindset of calling on God to provide us with what we need, according to His will, rather than what we think is best, we might be astounded by the results. Does this mean that praying for God to stop the storm completely or to protect all in its path might have had a different outcome for this woman and her community? Not necessarily. But we often pray selfishly, giving little regard to the ultimate outcome and its ramifications for anyone but ourselves.
Our goal should be to grow closer to God… to become more like Jesus… and that means letting go of any and all selfish motives. I heard the question posed recently, “If you were in a sinking boat with two other people, and only two of you could be saved… whom would you choose?” What was your first thought – does it depend on who the other two people are and what they mean to you? Or did you think of your own faith in God… your promise of Eternity in heaven with Him… and say, “I would gladly go”? Did you base your answer on your relationship with God… and possibly the relationship you believe the other two had with Him, as well?
When we begin to operate in faith rather than fear, everything changes… our opinions, our outlooks, our prayers, our choices. I repeat, if I saw a massive tornado approaching my house, I might very well ask God to save me. But hopefully I would also ask Him to protect all in its path, according to His will… and accept whatever outcome He chose as sovereign and absolute.
Where are you operating in fear these days? Where are you living selfishly, and possibly calling into your life things that you really don’t need? Where are you asking God for blessings and care at the potential expense of others? Where are you failing to trust in His complete perfection? Is this the day you begin to change? Will you ask God to meet your needs completely, according to His will… and rest in His choices? Are you the friend that others can trust… or are you like a selfish “toothache?” Isn’t it time we reversed our fear and started living in unwavering faith?
©2012 Debbie Robus
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