“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
My friend, are you going through a hard time right now?
You may be wondering how you are going to pay your bills. Or how to resolve a broken relationship. Or how to address a challenging situation.
You may be wondering if healing for your body is possible. Or if you or someone you love will ever overcome addiction. Or if your loved one will ever turn to Jesus.
No matter who you are or what is going on in your life, you are probably facing some kind of a challenge. Since our brains are designed to solve problems, you may envision any number of possible solutions and outcomes. When I face challenges, I often find my thoughts going that way unintentionally. Challenges spark thoughts and emotions. What are you thinking and feeling as you face yours?
At the core of our problem-solving efforts is the basic desire to meet a need. But the key question you and I face is the same regardless of the situation. Before I put any challenge-resolving plan into practice I need to ask myself this question: What do I really need?
What do you need, my friend? Money or healing or wisdom? After Tom’s recent hospital stay we need a resolution to the medical bills and are working that out with the hospital and our cost-sharing plan. That’s a new experience so we also need wisdom and peace as we work those details out. But is that what we need most? I don’t think so.
What if what you and I need most is to recognize who God is and trust that he will come through? What if what we really need is to seek God first?
Seeking God first means I recognize His rulership. If He is the King above all kings, then He is king over your challenge and mine. He sees, He knows, and He will act on our behalf. A king has the authority, resources, and power to act when you and I are powerless. If He is king, then He is able to do above and beyond what I ask, think or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
Seeking God first means I trust Him to resolve the issue. When my brain is stuck in a problem-solving cycle, I have to interject the truth of who God is and what His Word says. It doesn’t just happen, does it? I’ll bet you have had that experience. It’s like your brain is on autopilot, generating all kinds of possible answers that you have no power to make happen. Those are the moments I need to stop my thoughts and recall God’s words. Not only Scripture, but His past faithfulness in previous challenges. Don’t you have a few of those to remember as well?
Trust does not come naturally. You and I have to choose it over and over and over.
Seeking God first means I live out what I say I believe. Challenges are when we need to activate our faith. It is very easy to say I trust God until I see the numbers on the bill or hear the doctor’s diagnosis or watch my loved one make one destructive choice after another. How I respond demonstrates what I truly believe.
In the past, I would have been overwhelmed by the numbers on the hospital bill. But the truth is that I am not stressed about it. Do I wonder what steps to take to resolve it? Sure. But I really am at peace. I know that God has come through in the past, and I believe He will come through now. It may not be quick and easy. Even if it takes some time, it will all work out for good. I know that is true because I have lived it before.
What about you, my friend? Is your current challenge revealing some gaps in your trust? Do you find yourself looking for ways to fix it? What if you asked yourself, “What do I really need?” And what if the answer to that question is to seek God first, to recognize His rulership, and trust that He will come through?
Dear friend, whatever the challenge, He is with you, He cares, and He is big enough to act on your behalf.
Key Question: What does it mean to seek God first in challenging times?
A Scripture to Consider: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
A YES Challenge: Take a few moments in God’s presence to ask yourself the question, “What do I really need?” What rises to the top? What do you need to do with what you realize?
Prayer: Father God, I sing and say that You are a good father who takes care of his kids. I sing and say that You are the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. But honestly, I don’t act like it when times get tough. Help me to choose to trust You and not let my mind drift into problem-solving overdrive. Help me to discipline my thoughts toward Your truth. Help me to recall Your faithfulness and walk in trust. I can’t make it happen. I have to build that trust with my choices. I choose You. Amen.
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