How do you know when you are getting too detached? How do you know when your dependence on God has morphed into a routine, self-reliant life? It is very easy for this to happen. The world is designed with a myriad of distractions to pull you away from what is truly necessary in your life, and into the world with all of it's shiny things. It is very easy to gently and quietly slip into this state of self-reliance when things are good. If everyone is healthy, the ship isn't sinking, the job is good, and in general life seems peachy-- who needs God? Uh, oh.....that kind of apathy sounds a little like an unintentional prayer for God to bring you to your knees.
Most people feel closest to God when they are at their weakest. When we know that it is only through him that we can be at peace with our circumstances, we seek him. We look see his love for us in the little things. He is not a magician God that is here to entertain us with wonders, but it is through the small mercies that we see Him loving and protecting us. When you narrowly miss the cyclist on the side of the road, when the car repair comes in less than you anticipated, when you fall so that you only break your foot instead of your back-- these are glimmers of His care. I know those who do not believe, see only coincidence, or luck. I can not see the world through that lens. My blinders were removed long ago.
So back to the original topic-- How do you know when you are getting too self-reliant and detached? Do you start your day in prayer? Are you finding time to read His word? Do you find yourself in a state of peace and optimism or are you feeling negative and depressed? Are you isolating yourself from your family of believers? I personally need to do this check every few months. Life can be crazy, and many things SEEM very important, critical even. I am busy. I know though, when my usual glass half-full perspective starts to be less dependable, I am leaning on my own understanding. I know that when I am on my phone or Ipad more than I am with people, or reading the Word, I am being pulled in the wrong direction. When I start my day with a head full of problems or To Do's instead of thanks and praise, I am too detached, too self-reliant-- and it is time to re-focus my energy.
We are not meant to solve every problem. We are not the masters of the universe. We are NOT IN CONTROL. So take a deep breath. Hand over your worries to the One who is in control. Praise Him for the many ways he blesses you and yours each and every day. Draw yourself close to him, and be at peace.
Most people feel closest to God when they are at their weakest. When we know that it is only through him that we can be at peace with our circumstances, we seek him. We look see his love for us in the little things. He is not a magician God that is here to entertain us with wonders, but it is through the small mercies that we see Him loving and protecting us. When you narrowly miss the cyclist on the side of the road, when the car repair comes in less than you anticipated, when you fall so that you only break your foot instead of your back-- these are glimmers of His care. I know those who do not believe, see only coincidence, or luck. I can not see the world through that lens. My blinders were removed long ago.
So back to the original topic-- How do you know when you are getting too self-reliant and detached? Do you start your day in prayer? Are you finding time to read His word? Do you find yourself in a state of peace and optimism or are you feeling negative and depressed? Are you isolating yourself from your family of believers? I personally need to do this check every few months. Life can be crazy, and many things SEEM very important, critical even. I am busy. I know though, when my usual glass half-full perspective starts to be less dependable, I am leaning on my own understanding. I know that when I am on my phone or Ipad more than I am with people, or reading the Word, I am being pulled in the wrong direction. When I start my day with a head full of problems or To Do's instead of thanks and praise, I am too detached, too self-reliant-- and it is time to re-focus my energy.
We are not meant to solve every problem. We are not the masters of the universe. We are NOT IN CONTROL. So take a deep breath. Hand over your worries to the One who is in control. Praise Him for the many ways he blesses you and yours each and every day. Draw yourself close to him, and be at peace.
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