Stepping Stones: It Really is Your Choice

Transformational Tip
So many of us tend to believe that our current situation determines the quality of our lives…determines our happiness. We feel happy when things go “our way”, and sad when things don’t turn out as we had hoped. Because that is an important part of our belief system…we pour so much time and energy fretting over and trying to control or change our current situation or our future. We rarely think about what really is the connection and correlation between our circumstances and our well-being.

We need to understand and remember that the distance we place between ourselves and God is what truly controls the quality of our lives…and our feelings. We have a choice. We can live as close to God as we choose. He does not set up any barriers between us and Him…nor does He take any barriers down that we erect. He resources us with Jesus, the Holy Spirit, confession, and many spiritual tools to reduce those barriers. But it is up to us to decide to use them. How closely we live to Him really is our choice. That’s how He created us. Free will.

Peace really comes from the inside, and is not based on the outside. If your peace is based on your external circumstances, all is vanity, you are like the animals. God always pursues us…being close to Him, using His resources, instruction, promises, and character, will bring us an understanding, contentment, and peace that will overwhelm us. It will also force people to ask you how you handle adversity so well.

Today, assess yourself. Do you have peace when circumstances go your way, but are unsettled, disrupted, overwhelmed, or frustrated when life doesn’t go your way. Put more energy into trusting God and enjoying His Holy presence. Do not let your well-being depend on the situation at hand. Instead, try connecting your joy to Him and you will find that it is possible to be content through Him in every situation. Click here to share with the Stepping Stones community your thoughts on choosing the closeness or distance between you and your Lord.

Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your promise to be with me wherever I go and for providing for all my needs according to Your glorious riches. Help me Father to enjoy more fully Your presence and Your gifts regardless of the situation. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ; and all God’s children said - AMEN!

The Truth
I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:12
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Genesis 28:15