By Miriam from Nigeria
I didn’t like how my feelings were beginning to be ahead of my faith in God. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith isn’t a feeling but a confidence and an assurance in God who knows all things.
It was time for a shift. I decided to ask God to help me go back to seeking His kingdom first, in spite of everything. I used to do that above everything else, and I wanted to go back to that because I somehow lost it in the midst of my present circumstances. Seeking His kingdom first is more important than whatever is happening to me and around me.
So I encouraged myself by facing the reality of my situation and I reminded myself that God has always been in control. I just needed to fix my eyes on Him and stay in obedience to Him. I chose to start from the place of my daily fellowship with God. My devotion had to be a heartfelt connection with God that could translate into what I am able to experience in my life, rather than a routine.
Typically, I always want to know the details of things happening to me. I want to be able to plan and organize my schedule, and various situations in my life. I don’t like feeling lost. I like everything to be in order and I want to be in control. But that makes growing in my faith in God difficult to do, and I am finding that out in my life right now.
Planning and organizing are amazing skills I have, but at this point and in this phase of my life, it’s more important to grow my faith in God, day by day. The quality of time I spend with God has to be about Him and in His word, whether I feel like it or not. It shouldn’t be a matter of choice, it should be a “must do” part of my day.
Deep communion with God can make all the difference—praying, reading His word and reflecting on it, and then asking the Holy Spirit to speak to me and help me apply it in my life. That is the nourishment my soul needs.
Being in communion with God and putting my thoughts into submission to the importance of that moment is helping me to be less concerned about myself. This is very good because it helps me to get outside myself, be more compassionate, and think of other people. I find that each day when I do this, names and images of people come to mind. I take time and I don’t rush through praying for them, but instead, I thoughtfully pray for them. These thoughts of people stay with me and that serves as a gentle reminder to pray for each of them throughout the day.
The weight of my situation is lighter because I am assured and confident that God is in control and He knows what He is doing. So I submit to His sovereignty. My mind can stay on Him and I can be at rest, even if nothing seems to be moving.
