Life is the one thing every person on earth is trying to figure out. We try to make it as easy and smooth going as much as possible. To do this we try to learn from experience, we read books, we see life coaches and the list goes on. It has been this way since the beginning and it will continue like this till Jesus returns.
Most Christians have this miss construed idea that the closer we get the God the easier life gets. Now this is a very novel idea but it isn't completely true.
Let's look at the Israelites in the Bible for one second: They went trough many different situations, good and bad. But the one thing that stands out is the fact that when they stuck to Word of God, they came out better on the other side, usually after travelling a long distance or defending their land by means of war. Throughout all of this they had to suffer the consequences for their actions. We sometimes forget that even though God loves us and forgives us, the consequences of our actions still persists.
They simply kept on messing up and missing what God was trying to teach them. Much like us today... But we have their history to learn from as well as the Holy Spirit to guide us. Whether we decide to live by the Spirit is another question.
We sometimes forget that we constantly need to seek God and even more during the good times. We simply need to be thankful for what was given to us and also to prepare for the constant and approaching war. Sometimes things do seem to be going smoothly with no issues in sight, but then we can suddenly be in the middle of a difficult situation. This can be persecutions from non-Christians and Christians alike, to the simple temptation of the flesh we feel on a day to day basis. Please understand this is not me speaking this over our lives, this is simply stating the truth in Scriptures.
Most Christians have this miss construed idea that the closer we get the God the easier life gets. Now this is a very novel idea but it isn't completely true.
Let's look at the Israelites in the Bible for one second: They went trough many different situations, good and bad. But the one thing that stands out is the fact that when they stuck to Word of God, they came out better on the other side, usually after travelling a long distance or defending their land by means of war. Throughout all of this they had to suffer the consequences for their actions. We sometimes forget that even though God loves us and forgives us, the consequences of our actions still persists.
They simply kept on messing up and missing what God was trying to teach them. Much like us today... But we have their history to learn from as well as the Holy Spirit to guide us. Whether we decide to live by the Spirit is another question.
We sometimes forget that we constantly need to seek God and even more during the good times. We simply need to be thankful for what was given to us and also to prepare for the constant and approaching war. Sometimes things do seem to be going smoothly with no issues in sight, but then we can suddenly be in the middle of a difficult situation. This can be persecutions from non-Christians and Christians alike, to the simple temptation of the flesh we feel on a day to day basis. Please understand this is not me speaking this over our lives, this is simply stating the truth in Scriptures.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: - 2 Corinthians 10:3 KJV
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. - Ephesians 6: 10-11
We also need to start realizing that this is not a bad thing. We need to change our perspectives:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. - 1 Peter 4:13 KJV
If we want to get to the other side alive. We need to know how life works.
The Bible tells is things will sometimes be difficult. But when we focus on God and do our best to live by the Spirit, we can get to the other side alive.
There are no 12 steps to godly living, but the basic place to start I would have to say is: Read your Bible and pray as much as you can. Build the relationship you have with our Heavenly Father, and if you don't have a relationship with Him, get one, He is inviting you to have one.
And for the temptations in our lives:
The Bible tells is things will sometimes be difficult. But when we focus on God and do our best to live by the Spirit, we can get to the other side alive.
There are no 12 steps to godly living, but the basic place to start I would have to say is: Read your Bible and pray as much as you can. Build the relationship you have with our Heavenly Father, and if you don't have a relationship with Him, get one, He is inviting you to have one.
And for the temptations in our lives:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. - James 4:7 KJV
The only advice I believe I can give here is to flee by replacing bad habits with good ones. Don't try to fight it by yourself, don't just stop bad things in your life, replace them. Because simply taking something away will make you feel empty at times. But replacing them with something godly will give you fulfillment and get you that one step closer to a Spirit led life.
At the end of the day life is a battlefield, but when we make that decision to follow Christ AND build that relationship, it can be a wonderful experience.
At the end of the day life is a battlefield, but when we make that decision to follow Christ AND build that relationship, it can be a wonderful experience.