Trusting God Helps Us Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be   quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.                James 1:19  NIV

    

    We often don’t think of listening as connected to trusting God but there is a strong correlation between the two.  One reason for a lack of listening is a lack of trust that God is in control and is working for our good.  Here are three examples of how a lack of trust produces poor listening.

•  We may be afraid that we won’t get our chance if we don’t speak first and often. 

•  We may be fearful and interpret someone’s disagreement with us as a personal attack. 

•  We may act selfishly to get our own way rather than listening for a way that is good for us and the others with us.

  On the flip side, a stronger trust in God  gives us a peace inside us that empowers us to give others a chance to speak.  

• Trust in God keeps us from worrying about people disagreeing with us because we know God will protect the truth. 
• Trust in God allows us to be humble and be open to changing our minds if someone presents a good idea.  
• Trust in God helps us be patient and look for ways that are good for everyone involved.

   This week, take these two steps to help you grow in trust and in listening.

     1.  Start each day with this simple prayer.  “Father, I trust you.  You are the defender of truth and you are working for my good.  Please give me grace to walk in your truth and to listen to others so that love can grow and truth can be shared.”

     2.  Choose one day and make it your goal to ask every person you meet that day at least two questions before you tell them anything.  Listen well as they answer your questions.  Seek to understand what they are saying with their words and actions.

Boldness and Respect

They trusted in him and defied the king’s command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.      Daniel 3:28  NIV

   Trusting God in a culture that is opposed to, and even hostile toward, your faith and values is a recurring theme in the book of Daniel.  Daniel and his friends are faced with choices to glorify God in the face of opposition or to deny God’s sovereignty in order to maintain their own comfort.
 

   The Apostle Paul said that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There are certainly times it is wise to be quiet and there is no need to create controversy.  But there are also times when we must speak up with confidence and hope in God, regardless of the risk to our personal comfort.
 

    In what situations do you find it difficult to stand up for God and his truth?  Have you prayed about these challenges and opportunities?  Have you asked God for boldness to stand up for him?  It could be as simple as not laughing at dirty jokes at work or it could be much more involved, such as learning to defend a specific  aspect of God’s truth with gentleness and respect.  This week, take two steps to increase your willingness to stand up for God.
 

   1.  Write out and think about 1 Peter 3:13-16.  Think about what it means to be ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect.
 

   2.  Ask God to show you where you have been afraid to stand up for him and then ask him to give you grace to be confident and courageous in these areas in the future.

Facing the Fear of Not Having Enough

6Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.    

8And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.        
                                                           2 Corinthians 9:6,8  NIV

    

   One of the biggest obstacles we have to overcome on the path to a more generous life is the fear of not having enough.  It is etched into our subconscious that if we become generous, we will not have enough for ourselves.  We are just like the disciples. Jesus had to correct them because of their anxiety and he warned them that the worries of this world would get in the way of a fruitful life.

   The best way to overcome this fear is to face it head on.  This week, ask God to prompt you with an opportunity to be generous.  It might be a gift to someone in financial need or a gift to a missionary or a sacrificial gift to God’s ministry through your church.   Remember God’s grace to you and his ability to meet all your needs abundantly and let these lead you to discover the joy of the generous life.  We can trust our generous God!

The Peace of Fully Trusting God

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”     John 16:33  NIV

    What kind of “things” was Jesus telling his disciples?  He was referring to everything he just shared with them around the table of their last supper and on their walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.  He told them about his love for them.  He told them about the Holy Spirit coming to them to be their comforter and guide.  He taught them how to live life connected to him.  He told them that they would be persecuted for believing in him. He told them about his death and the lasting joy they would find in his resurrection. 

    Jesus wrapped things up for his disciples by telling them that the key to having peace in this world is NOT getting rid of trouble.  That is simply NOT possible.  Peaces comes from placing our lives in the hands of Jesus, our loving Lord.  It come through putting our full trust in him. 

   This week, set aside some time in prayer to place all the different parts of your life in Jesus’ hands.  Try this method of prayer to help you give your life completely to Christ.

1.  Start with five minutes of praising Christ, as well as the Father and the Spirit for their love, faithfulness, wisdom, power  and whatever else makes them worthy of your trust.

2.  Spend the rest of your time in prayer by giving (a.k.a., surrendering) all parts of your life to God.  You can do this with this simple prayer:  “Father, I give you…”  (my  health, my marriage, my kids, my job, my finances, my future, etc.). Don’t just say these words as if they are a lucky charm.  Slowly and honestly identify every part of your life that comes to mind and give it completely to God.  Include specific details as they come to mind.   Affirm that you want your Heavenly Father’s will to be done in every area of your life just as his will is done in Heaven.

For even greater joy and peace, do this with your spouse or a friend.  In the process of giving all your concerns to God, you will discover God’s peace that passes understanding.

Letting Go of Burdens

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NIV

Peter’s encouraging words remind us that we were not meant to carry our burdens by ourselves. The truth is we are not strong enough to carry them on our own. If we don’t give our burdens to God, they will eventually wear us down and wear us out. That’s why David also wrote these beautiful words in Psalm 68:19.
Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

These words teach us that even when we don’t realize it, God is bearing our burdens so they don’t crush us. This week, set aside some time to consider all of your burdens, trials and problems and give them all to your Heavenly Father, one by one. Sit in his presence and give your burdens to him. You CAN let them go. Remind yourself of his faithful love and remember that he is strong enough to take care of you. Remember this: God will never allow you to face more than you and he can handle TOGETHER.