ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR LIFE, OR JUST TRYING TO SURVIVE IT?

SCRIPTURE:
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. 
(Isaiah 40:31)

MEDITATION:
Have you ever reached the point
where you thought it would be great if life had a reset button?
You have tried to live the best you know how,
but life just seems kind of tiring.

Today you did basically the same things
you did the day before, and the day before that, etc.
Problems and issues just seem to sap your strength and endurance.
If you could just get away for awhile to re-energize and basically start over.
You can sense the walls closing in around you
and you start losing all hope of a better life.

If any of this describes you, the scriptures have good news!
Your hope could be in all the wrong places.
Instead of placing your hope in the Lord, you may have placed it in
your own skills and talents, or in the government, or in certain advisors,
or any of many other places.

God’s Word tells us plainly and succinctly to place our hope in the Lord.
When we do, something amazing happens.
Suddenly we feel stronger and more capable of dealing with life’s issues.
Instead of plodding through life, we feel as if we are soaring through it.

We have new attractions and purposes that we can run toward and enjoy.
Unexpected problems no longer drain us of our ability to “bounce back”.
Even when things are going smooth and we are living life at slower pace,
we will no longer have feelings of weakness and a desire to quit.

That’s what we want, isn’t it?
To be strong, have endurance, dance through problems with confidence
and experience a joy in living.
When we have this kind of ‘rebirth’ we are better prepared
to answer our call from the Lord to be a part of His earthly ministry.
We will look forward to powering up the spiritual gifts He has given us
so that we can celebrate and enjoy the ways He is using us.

Since God made us, He knows what makes us tick.
Doesn’t it just make sense to relinquish to the Lord
our attempts to be in control of everything?
He is the One who can provide us with what we need
to enjoy our short life span here on earth.
It is an exhilarating experience to live a new life
walking with the Lord, Who enables us to live it to the fullest!

We could make a complete wreck of our lives without Christ,
but when He is at the controls, all goes well for us.
We can do many wrong things in our own strength
that add to our frustrations, disappointments, fears, worries, etc.
However when He gives us strength,
our life changes to one of anticipation and joy.

ACTION:
Are you still trying to remain in control of your life and making excuses
for the things you know you should be doing,
but have decided you will not, even if it is God’s Will?
If you expect Him to live within you and take control of your life,
then you have to stop rationalizing the disobedience in your life.
Partial obedience is still disobedience – He wants our all.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I have failed to trust You completely and give You
control of my life. As a result, I am tired, weary, lack endurance, and
just trying to get through each day the best I can. I want to have my
strength renewed and start enjoying a new and exciting life. You are
the only One who can provide these valuable assets in my life. As best
as I can say it, I give You my life and look forward to a total rebirth so
I can enjoy an exciting life of serving You. Teach me to rely completely
on You for my strength and needs. I love You as my heavenly Father
and thank You for Your love for me!”