I was made for more

Being on a fast makes reading my daily devotions seem to draw me closer to God.  But of course that is what I am praying for - to grow closer to God; to understand and accept things that happen and I cannot control.  

During my devotion today this came to me-

I was made for more 

I was made for more than the guilt I feel for not living my past life right. 

I was made for more than the chocolate I crave in the middle of the night.

I was made for more than the bathroom scale says I am. 

and I was made for more than I am able to think I can.

You are made for more too.  What ever you are going through, what ever war is waging inside of you, you are made for more.  

I am going to focus on trying NOT to change things out of my control,  it just brings out that “out of control freaked out woman” that I loathe so much, and fires up the three ring circus in my head.  Better to just remember this verse when I am feeling like jumping of the edge.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

Know Love to Show Love

I admit there are times I have opened my mouth and later thought “Oh God, what have I done, that wasn’t a very Christian thing to say.” or my reaction in a situation, wasn’t exactly what I would consider “Christian like”… oh the guilt! I sometimes would think “I just don’t feel like a Christian should or act like one."

So what is the problem?  Self control?  Emotional control? Loving people more? Probably all of these would help, but if you find yourself thinking “Maybe I don’t know God well enough.” as the reason for your behavior, you could be right. 

We love because he first loved us.1John 4:19

Do you know how much God loves you?

Have you ever been in that new love?  You were just happy, happy, happy!  No one could do anything to ruin your day!  You felt loved and so were willing to respond in a loving way.

Well God loves you if you are confused, mad, or hurt the same as when you are happy.

You see it is much easier to respond in a positive way and love people instead of reacting to them if you really feel the love of God; really know how much God cares about everything in your life. You can find new words to use if you choose to praise him in all situations.

He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40:3

When you don’t want to go to church is when you need it the most.

Press into God even when it is not really what you feel like doing. Go to church, read your bible and trust God and he will keep you on track.

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
    don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
 Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
    he’s the one who will keep you on track. Proverbs 3:5-6