Mensa Otabil - A Positive Life
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This week we’ve looked at how to live our lives in a difficult time when life is very hard for us, when there is a flood, there is fire, and we’ve examined God’s promises to us when we feel alone or when we are stepping into big shoes and we don’t know how far we can go and how much we can achieve. We’ve looked at all of that and seen that the attitudes we must have in those circumstances are crucial. I believe that God wants to give us victory, and He has promised that He will provide victory in the battles of life. We always have the victory as children of the most High God.
So today, we end with the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew chapter 6, verse 25. Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Jesus teaches us how to have a positive outlook on life. The way we look at life, our perspective on life, makes a big difference in how we live our lives. If you view your life from a negative place, then everything looks dark, gloomy, and painful. But if you look at it from a positive perspective, even though the circumstances may not have changed, you will have a positive outlook on life.
That’s what Jesus is telling His disciples and us-to live our lives in faith. A few things we can learn from this verse are that it’s important to notice God’s gifts and thank Him for them. We must have a daily practice of thanking God and cultivating gratitude for our lives. Jesus says not to worry about life; don’t live your whole life fixated on how this is going to happen or how that is going to happen, because He says your worry is not going to change the problem. Your worry is not going to improve the situation; just learn to be relaxed and calm in your life as you wait on the Lord and trust Him. Learn to cast your fears and anxieties on the Lord. Look at life from the perspective of the Lord Jesus Christ, and then we can turn our worries and discomfort into prayer.
When something is bothering you, instead of worrying about it, pray about it; talk to God about it and let your prayer be relational. Many times, we pray very ecclesiastical prayers, using loud and nice-sounding words, but prayer is simply telling God, «This is what I’m going through, Lord. This is how things are going. I need Your help, Lord. Guide me, Lord. Open my eyes.»
Talk to God as if He is sitting right in front of you. Turn your anxieties and worries into prayer. Many times, instead of talking to people about your problems, learn to talk to God about those issues. That’s how you develop your prayer life and intimacy with the Lord. That’s how you get close to Him and begin to feel God’s heartbeat in your own heart and hear His voice in your spirit. So let’s learn to turn our anxieties and worries into prayer. We also have to learn to look for fulfillment in the right places.
Jesus said, «Are you worried about clothing? You have a body. You worry about what you eat, but you have life.» What He’s saying is that instead of worrying about what you must wear, you should be thankful for the body you have, that you are still alive and thriving. Instead of worrying about what to eat, think about the life God has given you. Many times, the kinds of things we worry about are not major. So look for joy and happiness in what God has already given you. He has given you life, and He has given you Himself. May He help us to live His life His way.
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, I refuse to be worried and anxious. I step out today fully confident in Your goodness to me. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.