Lately I've been noticing how much I struggle with this in my life. Growing up knowing this verse, I've kind of automatically focused on the latter part "slow to speak and slow to become angry" instead of all of the verse. And actually, the more I think about it, all three (quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry) kind of mesh perfect together. When one is quick to listen, they are quick to surrender. They give up focus on what they want, to welcome others' opinions, advice, counsel.
When I do this, it's actually kind of funky; I'm actually slow to doubt, slow to worry, and crazy as this sounds, I become rational. But! when I am quick to speak, my flesh automatically governs my decisions, and usually I become anxious or angry. And.. all rationality is thrown out the proverbial window.
Especially in the last few weeks, I've had a really difficult time with this subject. Life has been so full and overwhelming that I'm quick to become worried and fearful about the future (or even about life now) and not quick to listen to my Daddy's voice. Funny... I've been quick to listen to people's opinions, quick to speak, and quick to jump to conclusions. But I've failed at being the "Mary" who just sits at His feet. I've realized the last few days how discontent I am right now. I'm restless and am second guessing almost my every move. I'm lacking faith and trust, and I'm definitely not casting my cares on Him, remembering that He cares for me. I've some how forgotten that Jesus Himself is my peace and that He is the only one who calms my heart. When I allow myself to be lost in His embrace, I am automatically covered in peace and am covered in protection against the Enemy.
I frustrate myself because I KNOW the things I listed above, yet I see myself struggling to actually know know them in my heart. Yeah, I realize I am human, I do. I just so easily forget who I am in Jesus Christ.
You are looking only on the surface of things. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as he. 2 Cor. 10:7
I belong to Jesus. He pursues me with His love.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Ephesians 6:10-18
Hmm. The shield of faith extinguishes Satan's flaming arrows.
For he himself is our peace. Ephesians 2:14a
I am covered by His blood.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3
My attitude should be the same as that of Jesus.
Do everything without complaining or arguing. Philippians 2:14
Look for God's blessings and rejoice in them.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Philippians 3:12-14,16
I am who I am in Jesus Christ. And that's all I have to live up to, and all I have to prove.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
He always provides. He is always sufficient.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Ask, and it will be given to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6
Don't doubt God. He knows what He's doing. He's holy, I am not.
These verses are pretty dear to my heart right now. I know God knows what's He's doing, and He gives wisdom and peace to those who wait on Him.
Daddy.. help me wait on You.
I am who I am in Jesus Christ. And that's all I have to live up to, and all I have to prove.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
He always provides. He is always sufficient.
The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalm 29:11
Ask, and it will be given to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. James 1:5-6
Don't doubt God. He knows what He's doing. He's holy, I am not.
These verses are pretty dear to my heart right now. I know God knows what's He's doing, and He gives wisdom and peace to those who wait on Him.
Daddy.. help me wait on You.
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