Abide, Deny, Trust - part 1 - Abiding in the struggle, Before storms

Even if the struggle never is resolved, I must continue to learn what it means to:

1.    Abide in Jesus

2.    Carry my cross, denying myself, following Jesus (DENY SELF)

3.    Trust that Abba knows best, cares the most, and is continually working toward the end goal of bringing me into the full image of my Savior, Christ Jesus. (CLING, STAND FIRM)

 

Abide: What does this even mean? “To stay, to wait, to continue to exist…” (from Greek word used in John 15) How is this possible in turmoil? Here are some keys I’ve been reminded of recently. If nothing else, I’ll have them for myself next time I’m hit with a big crisis.

PREPARE before the storm, be ready at all times:

1.   Daily dress your best – in your spiritual armor, prepared for battle.

2.   Practice accepting His love. He cares more than your closest friend. “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…” This looks different for each of us. Find the best place for you to be still and know that He is God – day after day. Practice soaking up His love, accepting that you’re so beautiful in His eyes.

3.   Practice finishing the sentence. State issue + truth (what Jesus did/will do). We Take thoughts captive and align ourselves with Truth. Practice speaking truth in easier times, so that the habit continues IN the storm. Bonus: I have a friend who calls and finishes her sentence = POWERFUL encouragement to my soul!!!

4.  Diligently study to learn more about Gods love for you, His character, what He says regarding you-in-Christ. **If you’re not at a point in life where you can study hard-core, just do what you can. Focus on one verse if you have to, committing it to memory. Relationship first! Grace always!

5.   List verses to cling to. Pair up with the most common struggles you face. Store where you can easily find it (inside Bible) & cling to truth when trouble comes.

6.   Be alert, praying always, be ready, be prepared, watch and pray, etc.

7.   Don’t go alone. Find a spiritual partner, someone who’ll walk with you, pray with you, love you through thick & thin!

8.   Remember the point. We’re nothing apart from Jesus, can do nothing apart from Him. He is our everything (John 15)

“Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints …” – Ephesians 6:14-19, NASB [bolded: my emphasis. We can only stand at a warrior’s post when we’re dressed in our uniforms.]

Abba, thank you for working in our lives, for teaching us how to abide. Give us courage to trust you always. In Jesus' name...