The Best in Mind
Psalm 32:8, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you" (NLT).
I have a pretty stubborn and ...er... "strong" personality. So when it comes to my own healing and my own spiritual growth I have to speak pretty bluntly to myself. I have to ask myself straight forward questions in order to expose the lies I've been believing, and to motivate myself towards the truth.
The question that comes to mind when I read Psalm 32:8 is this: Do I really truly believe that God has my best in mind?
If I did, then wouldn't I spend a lot more time resting in the peace and sovereignty of God than frantically strategizing my own way out of a situation?
If I truly believed that God always has my best in mind, then wouldn't discouragement and frustration at my circumstances not be able to take such a strong hold on my heart?
God has my best in mind. And the path He leads me on truly is better than any other--no matter what I think or what people say.
Even if the world mocks me, or loved ones judge me, or I don't live up to others' expectations. God is rarely concerned about our path meeting other people's expectations.
As long as I am walking step by step with God, holding onto His hand, listening to His voice, and surrendering my heart to Him, I can be confident that I am on the best possible path for my life.
God often uses our circumstances to make us more dependent on Him. And when we become more dependent on Him, we see His love in much more powerful ways. We find supernatural strength, and peace, and confidence. God is much more concerned with our inward sanctification than our outward successes. He is much more concerned that we come to know Him in a deeply nourishing intimate way, than He is about us fulfilling some grand mission.
Question: Do you really, truly, believe that God has your best in mind?
Psalm 73:24, "You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory" (NIV).
Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (NLT).
Psalm 138:8, "The Lord will work out his plans for my life--for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don't abandon me, for you made me" (NLT).
Deuteronomy 31:8, "Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you" (NLT).