For the Lord – not our situation or circumstances – shall be thy confidence, and (He) shall keep thy foot from being taken.
For the most part, our own understanding is conformed to this world’s understanding – We act pretty much like the world expects us to, right? For example, like the world, if things go wrong in our lives, we get nervous, discontent, angry, worried. Our appetites (mental, emotional and physical) are pretty much formed and governed by this world and the way it thinks. We may even tend to do worldly things to try to fit in – Ever catch yourself thinking, “I’m a Christian now so why do I still act that way? Why did I do that again?”
But, as children of the Most High, God has a different plan for us. God commands us to lean not, to not refer to, and to not give into this world’s understanding because He knows that we’ll suffer for it. His ways are good news (the Gospel) and He wants to teach us how to live His ways. He wants us to trust Him with all our heart because He is ABOVE this world and works in supernatural ways ABOVE and beyond this world’s understanding. His ways liberate us from this world and its understanding.
I have to say that after a migraine, it is really easy to feel down, discouraged, and to feel self-pity. Often, people feel sorry for me – I’d rather they would praise God. But, God’s Word tells me to count it (even migraines) all joy. Wow, I don’t have to give into the down feelings and self-pity no matter how appealing they are to my flesh (the world’s understanding I’m used to). I can take those negative, defeating thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, praise God, and remember that He’s working all things together for my good. I can trust Him with all my heart rather than leaning (watch out below) on my own understanding, and be victorious even though I may need to take it easy for a few days because the migraine has left me a little weak mentally and physically (migraines don’t have to leave me weak spiritually). Like the Apostle Paul, I can trust God and be content in whatsoever state I’m in. That (God’s truth) is everything to me.
This is why I know I need to know God more. He’s everything. His truth conquers this world.
God has a new way of living and thinking in store for those who love Him. Loving Him means, that with the help of the Holy Spirit (our Comforter), I/we no longer need to spend my/our time being conformed to this world’s ways, its understanding, its obvious limitations. He wants to transform me/us by showing me/us how to renew our minds so we can live ABOVE this world. Jesus has already overcome this world. He’s overcome its ways of understanding and doing things. We can do the same “in Him.”
The more we’re around Jesus, the more we’re in His Word, etc., the more our minds will be renewed. The more we’ll be able to count it all joy because we’ve learned to trust Him always. Like Christ, we’ll overcome this world. As a result, we’ll be more Christlike, we’ll be better husbands, wives, siblings, workers, and on and on. God sent His Son to die on the cross for mankind so they could become overcomers in all areas of life. He’s asking us to die to this world and its ways so we can be free, and live free in Christ regardless of circumstances.
The question Jesus asked me about 40 years ago was, Do you want to stay conformed to this world or do you want to follow Me and let Me transform you by showing you how I can renew your mind?
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
John 15:5
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of
the wicked, when it cometh. For the Lord shall be thy
confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:25-26
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him,
and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
1 Timothy 6:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Philippians 1:6
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua 1:9
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
James 1:2-4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Romans 5:3-5
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
John 16:33
God bless,
Mark