GIVE THANKS IN THE CHANGE
Noelle McDermott
Today's Scripture: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:16-17, ESV)
Theme: As we discern the Holy Spirit, our next right steps are thankfulness and worship.
PLANNER SUPREME
Anybody who has met me knows that I love planning ahead. I love preparing in advance to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and that I accomplish all my plans. I had the next five years of my educational career planned. I knew what electives I’d choose my senior year of high school, what school I wanted to attend after graduation, what college courses I should take, and what I’d declare as my major and career.
It becomes a problem when I have a vision for something, and that vision does not play out in a very particular way. My way. If something changes, such as an alteration in my schedule for what I wanted to accomplish that day, I get incredibly frustrated. I resist the change, because I know what I intended my schedule to be. I have even had emotional outbursts, believing that my whole week has been ruined.
BUT GOD
My tendency to become consumed when things go wrong has been curbed dramatically by beginning my day with a Quiet Time with God. Spending each morning both reading and listening to what the Holy Spirit is speaking to me helps align me with God’s plans and purposes, not mine. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
Ultimately, I can make as many plans as I want to regarding what I want my week (or my future) to look like, but God can and will easily overrule those. I am now more able to surrender “my way” through prayer, and to know how God wants me to react in those situations because of my Quiet Time with Him. Instead of rebelling, I give thanks. After all, the God of the Universe is speaking to me and into my situation. When I choose to praise instead of complain, I more readily see and accept His direction, and am able to trust that He has my best interest in mind.
WALK IN IT
Wouldn’t it be fantastic if once you prayed about something one time, the problem would automatically disappear from your life? Unfortunately, we are very quick to run back to our old habits. They are so hard to break! Self-control is a difficult trait to learn, but starting each day with a Quiet Time will help reinforce us in disciplining ourselves. I still continue to get annoyed when something doesn’t turn out as I planned it, but reading God’s Word during my Quiet Time reminds me of how God wants me to act. God has given me a spirit of self-control (2 Timothy 1:7).
Make it Personal: It’s easy to just give in if we mess up once, but allow your Quiet Time to be the reset button to start anew. And when situations arise that cause you distress or anxiety, choose to praise and worship. Give thanks that God is aware of your plans and life.
Pray: Dear God, Thank You that You know my comings and goings and You care about my life. I trust You and praise You! Amen.
Read: Proverbs 19:21; Proverbs 16:32; Psalm 1:2-3
Weekly Memory Verse: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 (ESV)