Why do we run away from Conviction? We're ashamed to admit we've done something wrong, or that we have displeased God. We all displease Him. We're all sinners. Right? But is that an excuse?
I've been reading in John 8 and I'd urge you to do the same because God has been teaching me so much that I haven't seen before. In verse 12 Jesus says "I am the light of the world, Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life"... after reading this. I WAS CONVICTED! Have you, as a follower of Christ, ever felt like you are walking in darkness? I sure have. I have felt lonely, hurt, angry, self-consious, afraid... surely I know that I am a believer so how is this so? Does that verse not say that "WHOEVER FOLLOWS ME.... NEVER will walk in darkness"? God's word is true and never changing so how could this be? How can it be that I am a believer of Christ, yet I still have periods of time when I am not walking in the light?
The only explanation is that I had to have turned my back on Christ and stopped following Him. OUCH. Talk about conviction. But how did that happen? How do we get so far away from Christ, that we dont even realize it until we are pulled so far from Him? My friends, it happens so fast, so easily. In this world distractions are everywhere and the world wants to tell you to take your life in your own hands... Let me give you some pointers for making sure you stand strong and you persevere.
-Read God's word DAILY
Why is this such a struggle? We've heard this time and time again but why dont we do it? Why dont we read every morning and give Christ our first fruits? Let me tell you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, if you are having a problem getting into the word everyday, your problem is not your priorities, your problem is your love. You love yourself more than you love Christ. You love your children more than you love Christ. You love your job, or your books, or your television shows or your friends more than Christ. You're problem isnt that your priorities are wrong, your problem is you need to LOVE GOD. Why is it when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, did he says this "LOVE the Lord your God will ALL your heart ALL your soul and ALL your mind and with all your strength?"
If you're having a hard time getting into the Word, get on your knees. Maybe even right now. Tell God that you want to Love Him with all that you have to give. Be honest with Him, what's holding you back from loving Him more??
-Pray everyday - all day
If you've ever been to my house, you will see that there are scripture verses everywhere. I even have 1 on the dash of my car. When I see them, I pray. Even if its 1 sentence. I pray. To keep my mind focused on the Lord. If i'm cleaning I'll say "Thank you for this house you've provided for us". Or if Im getting food out of the fridge (I have a couple verses on the fridge) I'll say "I am so thankful I have a husband who works so hard to provide this food." or "Thank you for this food"... you get it. It's continuous. It's easy. It's not even close to what our God deserves for what He did for us.
-Get Accountability
Find someone you can talk to daily or weekly about how your relationship with Christ is. That seems like a strange question to ask a friend every week. But if you think about it, when the week is over, how often did you speak with God. How many verses, chapters or books of the bible did you read and study? Did you love God? Did you show Him you trust Him? If you're not asking these questions weekly, you need to start because you're stalling your relationship with Christ. If you arent going forward, which way are you going? Dont stand still....
*The definition of the word Stall: To come to a stand still, to stop running as a result of malfunction. Who has stopped running? Who is malfunctioning?
-Evaluate yourself
I set a goal for each month to try to read through a part of the bible or to do a devotional booklet or to have intimate prayer times a certain number of times a month. At the beginning of the month, I evaluate it. Did I achieve my goal? Did I grow in my relationship with Christ? I cannot say that I have always met my goals. I also cannot say that sometimes when I did, I really grew in my relationship with Christ. That is why its important to ask both of those questions. Am I doing this so I can mark it off on my paper, or am I doing it because I Love God so much, that I have to have that time with Him or I'm easily angered, outspoken, irritated, miserable?
In the valleys of life, don't walk away. God has your life under control, you just need to trust. You need to have faith in God that He is who He says He is. And He's done(or will do) what He says He's going to do. He knows you, your ins and outs. He knows what you need, when you need it. He knows whats best for you, and whats not best for you. He sometimes give us Blessings, and He sometimes takes them away. We have troubles, we have trials, we have hurt, pain, anger, betrayal, loneliness, selfishness... but we STAND STRONG, We cling to Christ. We dont waver. God has got this. He's got your life. He created the world. He made the ocean and the mountains and the animals and He created YOU. There is nothing too hard for Him. "I am the Lord, the God of ALL mankind, is anything to hard for Me?"
Trust Him. Seek Him. He rewards those who seek Him.
