All of us Christian's have these 'spiritual growth seasons' where we feel on top of the world, and close to God. However, everything eventually dies, right? Well that doesn't apply to our souls. Though you may have days, weeks, even months when you feel like you're faith is a little rusty, don't be discouraged. I can say with 100% confidence that God isn't done with you yet. His plan is still in action, you just can't see it. How do I know this? You're still alive...
We may lose our way, feel like we can't stop messing up, or falling for the devil's tricks, but God never stops loving us. We may not always sense His presence, but that's because we are bound by earthly restraints. Just because you can't see the see growing beneath the ground doesn't mean it's not there, right? Or just because you can't see the wind, doesn't mean it's not there. God is the same way.
'Doubting' Thomas is given a bad rap, but we're more like him than anyone else in the bible. It's hard for us to believe in things we can't see, can't feel, can't hear-- we're human. Yet, God proves to us time and time again that He's present, we're just not looking in the right places.
In this era we are surrounded by stuff and we love our stuff. Yet, when we turn to materialistic things, we miss God working in our lives. We tend to turn to drugs, alcohol, porn, money, and food to comfort us. They may fulfill us for a short amount of time, but at the end of the day-- we feel even emptier, even more alone...
When we turn to God however, we are able to heal, and experience hope, and love. God gives us grace for our slip ups and wrongdoings, He gives us the ability to trade our shame/guilt/pain for love. Through Him we grow stronger, wiser, and our soul shines-- and people can see that! Letting go of our possessions allow us to open are arms and embrace the only thing that can make our hearts truly happy, God!
Do you doubt like Thomas did? Do you rely on people and belongings to keep you happy?
"You have to get to the point in your life where your mood doesn't change based on the actions and opinions of other people."
~ Anonymous
I challenge you to think deeper about what causes your pain-- but don't place blame on people in your life. Look at yourself and ask God to show you where you can improve. I often find that when I think other people are to blame for my pain, I'm letting them dictate how I feel. Are you letting others dictate your feelings and mindset?
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Colossians 3:2
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