Good Words make ya’ wise

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

This is the way I see most Christian’s lives being lived out; seasons of highs, followed by lows, seasons of seeking God, and the cycle continues. Many a sermon has been preached on the trials of life, either going into one, coming out of one, or the blessings between them. I can attest to you that since God got ahold of my heart, that has been my life’s cycle. Anyone preaching a prosperity gospel of worldly blessings and easy living is lying to you, and having you focus on this life, instead of the eternal one filled with immeasurable wealth in Heaven. I know not how they contend with the suffering for our faith that fills the New Testament. Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. God’s ultimate desire is for us to be like Christ, therefore we must “suffer” to some small degree, just like he did on the highest scale for us.

When I was praying this morning, the Holy Spirit whispered the scripture above in my ear, to not lean on my own understanding. I am a planner for a living, have a very stressful demand upon me for many lives, and it weighs upon me heavily. I am seeing God at work in this Trackside Ministry on an incredible scale, so Satan is attacking my mind and my financial state to torment me. I have openly battled anxiety and depression, and their waves pummel as the tides of the shore. My business is focused on the weather, and we are incredibly slow with this Winter’s warmth and rain. The highs of this weekends ministry, were followed by faults pointed out repeatedly by my enemy. Both of these weave the fabric of the high of anxiety, followed by the low of depression. Anxiety can come at a moments notice, while depression always lurks under the surface. Both require a defense mechanism, almost an offensive attack, yet sometimes a retreat……yielding defeat. The cycle is physically and emotionally exhausting.

If it were not for my faith in the sovereignty of God, the all knowing all powerful God I worship, I could not do this. If it were not for the testimony of the years of his provision, at times when I had no means, I would not believe it would work out. My business and my family have survived on God’s math the last 10-15 years, it makes no sense, because it is through His provision, not my direction or ability. As you see in the picture, I have frequented this Proverb, even comparing it to another favorite of mine, Ecclesiastes highlighted in blue. Proverbs 3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; 14 For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. When you are struggling in life, in any way, search out the scriptures for a good word from God, it will make you glad you did, and you will be wiser for it.