Have you ever wanted your way so intensely that you were pushing yourself beyond your current limits? Maybe God has slowed your life down (personal illness, family illness, financial hardship etc.) for your own good, but you refuse to give it all over to God. You are determined to have what you want. Not that what you want is even bad. It seems so good, and so right, that you feel God must just be testing your endurance. You may think He is wanting you to push despite your current roadblocks. I wonder how often we fight against God even when we know deep down we are in the wrong.
Can we, as committed God seeking Christians, keep pushing until we get our way? How do we know if God is testing our endurance or telling us to slow down. Give something up. Go a different direction. Forgive and forget. Trust God when it doesn't make sense.
Philippians 4:6-7 says: Be anxious in nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God;
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
These verses have been heart verses for me for many years. I know it is the Peace that surpasses all understanding that will tell me if I'm headed in the right direction. I'm still surprised though, how quickly I forget the lessons God has taught me over the years. I can find myself back in that same mindset of wanting my way so much that I'm willing to sacrifice health, family, friends, whatever it takes to get what I want. In fact, I may think I'm doing these things for others, not myself. I need to be seeking God's will in my life daily, and really listen to hear what He is saying to me today.
Peace: a state of tranquillity or quiet:
freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.
