Introspection

Following the initial shock, what is the first thing you do, and desire others to do, when your child is in an accident, your mother becomes seriously ill, you are diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening disease? If the answer is prayer, or turning to God, you would be like most others in the same situation.

The realization that you are hopeless to change a negative circumstance and you may suffer a loss without His intervention, drives you toward Him. If your situation improves, you breathe a sigh of relief and ‘maybe’ thank God for it; if all goes wrong, you blame God and shun Him, many time’s questioning if He even exists since things didn’t go the way you desired.

What about when things go really well and you receive a promotion, a big unexpected check in the mail, a dream of some sort comes to fruition? Once you get past the initial blast of happiness, do you thank God with the same fervency for the blessing? Do you give Him credit for the blessing? Do you move toward Him, or away, having no need?

Do you have the same ongoing communication with God no matter your circumstance? Is the only time you acknowledge Him dependent on whether, or not, you have a need? Are you as concerned with His will as your own will? Do you intervene on His behalf to fulfill His need? Does God exist for you or do you exist for God?

His Word says to rejoice always, pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). God desires constant communication with you. He desires that you trust in Him completely and never rely on your opinions. When you develop that channel of communication in both the good and bad times, He will lead you in every decision you make (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Pain in our lives is corrective when it is trusted to His hands.

Troubles always make us look to God; His blessings are likely to make us look elsewhere.

Search your own heart, be introspective, draw closer to Him.