Is the following something that you think often?

 

“I thought that I was doing everything right, but apparently I am doing a lot of things wrong.  I know I need to reflect and ask myself some serious questions about what exactly is wrong in my life.  I want to know how I can turn things around and push play again to do things right."

 

Believe me everyone needs a little time to reflect on life.   We do not always get things right.  Even when it seems on the outside that everything is going well for everybody else but you, this is not the truth.  The truth is that we all feel defeated from time to time. I, myself am reflecting right now.  I’m reflecting on the things that are going on around me. I am reflecting on my life.

 

The following is a common complaint I hear:

 

I’m never the person who wins . . .or. . . things just don’t work out for me . . .

 

Did you try praying? Or do you feel that you constantly pray but nothing ever happens for you?  I’m interested in how you pray. I’m also interested in how you talk to God.  What is your relationship with him?

 

I came across a Facebook post and it was a young girl talking about how her welfare was about to end because she was on it too long.  She was going to be required to find a full time job.  After about a paragraph of complaints,  she asked for people to pray for her as she prepared herself for a job interview.  To which she said something like “I’m about to smoke the last of my good Sh** so my system is clear, but pray that I pass this drug test so that I can get this job . . .”

 

Maybe you can relate to the above situation.  If we really think about it, we know where our lives are going because of the decisions that we make.  Why take the chance of smoking if you really want the job?  Does this young lady really want to change her life or does she still want to do what she wants to do? Does she choose to do wrong and still try to reap all of the rewards of doing right?  

 

What is the answer?

We do what makes us feel good because we want to feel good.  So, we then convince ourselves that the things that we do are right because they make us feel good.  Many of us want to do what ever we want, without thinking about the real consequences.  The real consequences will lead us down some pretty dark roads.

 

The real answer is Jesus Christ.

 

My approach may be harsh and preachy sounding, but I’m sure it can help if you walk this journey with me.  We have to start by asking ourselves some hard questions.  One of those questions being, why doesn’t it really work out for me?

 

Let me give you some tips . . .

 

#1  Stop testing God.  God will always do what he says he will do, but it is up to us to do what he tells us to do.  We need to stop doing things that we know are wrong.  We know certain things are not good for us: certain foods, certain relationships, certain bad habits . . . but we still do them.  Why is that?  Do we think we are getting away with certain things?  We have to realize that when we do these things there are already natural consequences that are going to happen.  The negative things that happen to us are not due to the "wrath of God," but instead of the natural law that he has already written.  If you jump off of a building, the law of gravity says that you will plummet to your death!  The laws are already set up.  Does that make sense?

 

#2  Stop complaining and be grateful for the blessing that you do have.  The bible says  “I will pour you out a blessing and you will not have room enough to receive it.”  Well, most of us do not have room enough to receive our blessings . .  so our blessings are surrounding us waiting for us to get right.

 

So how do we get right?

 

#3  Be obedient to God’s words.  When you don’t adhere to the word of God you are putting a dead halt on your blessing.  This does not mean that God doesn't love you if you don't follow his word, he loves you regardless.  What it does mean however is that if you follow his words, then you will start to live a more fulfilled and happy life. 

 

When you are a child of God you have inheritance to many benefits and blessings.  You are destined to be blessed.  But when you are blatantly disobedient you stop the flow of your blessings.  You are denying God’s protection.  You are putting your hand up to God and saying, ‘No I don’t want it.’  Don’t be that way.  God wants to bless you.

 

The word says: “And why call ye me, Lord Lord, and do not the things which I say. . .”  Luke 6:46

 

Jesus is asking in this passage; why do we claim him to be our Lord, which is our leader, but we don’t follow what he teaches?  He says to us, that if we read his words and build our relationship with him then we would have a strong foundation.  It would then become very natural to obey him.  It wouldn't be a chore, it wouldn't be hard to do and we wouldn't feel forced.  God does not want to force you to do anything.  He wants to give you the choice to follow him.  Let’s read on to grasp the understanding . . .

 

“Whosoever cometh to me, heareth my sayings and doeth them I will show you to who he is like;  He is like a man which build a house and digged deep and laid the foundation on a rock and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house and couldn't shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.  But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built a house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”  Luke 6:47-49

 

So are you still wondering why things don’t work out for you?

 

It is because you don’t have a foundation.  Things continue to crumble around you, and you continue to try to rebuild, rebuild, rebuild.  You may find that you are always tired, you feel defeated, you feel like things just never go your way.  Well, are you being obedient to the word of God?  I mean, you can keep trying to make things go your way, but you will find it will always end up the same, depressing, and in shambles.

 

On the other hand, if you have a strong foundation in the word of God than your troubles would not make you feel defeated.  Instead your troubles will prove your strength.  You will feel victorious when you have a strong foundation.

 

I encourage you to change your mind about how things are supposed to be, look, and work out. There is a better way.  You just have to change your mind about it.  You need a little help and that help isn’t smoking weed or trying to get it out of your system so that you can get a good job . . . Try something different.  Try God.

 

Suggestions for you:

 

Start keeping a journal so that God can open up your eyes to what is really going on in your life.  Go back and read it at the end of the month.  Reflect.  What are some patterns that you see in your life?   What changes can you make to help produce different outcomes?

 

If you have not already done so, except Jesus Christ today as your Lord and savior.  This is a gift that he is presenting to you in this day in time.  Will you not admit to yourself that you need something different?  You need a savior to save you from your way of thinking.  Ask Jesus to come into your life today and save you from your misunderstanding.  Say this:

 

“Lord forgive me for my past way of thinking.  I believeth that you came and died for me in order to renew in me a righteous mind.  I believe that you are the God that loves me and saves me from my sins.  I give my life to you.”

 

Now you have to confess this with your mouth and believe it in your heart and you will be saved.

 

 

I pray that things start going better for all of us and that we continue to walk in our purpose.

 

Until next time.

-Tamorra