Note from Joanna: Have you been struggling with worry? Today’s blog by Jill Hart is a wonderful reminder of where to look for our ultimate security. Be sure to connect with Jill’s unique ministry at the bottom of the post.
Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:5 NIV)
This verse jumped out and cut me to the quick as I read it recently. I had been seeking the Lord for provision above and beyond what He had already provided and as I read this, I was convicted that I need to be content with just what God has given me.
Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with asking for abundance, but in this case my motives were wrong. It wasn’t that I need MORE to meet a need in my life. I wanted God to give me MORE because I feel secure when there is extra money in the bank. I have a tendency to “draw strength from mere flesh” by relying on money in my checkbook to either give me security or allowing a lack of money to keep me awake at night worrying.
The truth, however, is that even when there is extra money in the bank it slips away so quickly. Security cannot be found in money, no matter how hard I try.
Peace and security come only from a right relationship with God. Walking with Him daily is where I find my true comfort. Why is it so easy to forget this?
I believe the enemy loves to distract us. If he can get us wrapped up in worrying about money, or our job, or our children, or any number of things, then our focus won’t be on Christ. When we stand firm against these distractions and place our focus on, and trust in, Christ, the rest fades away.
What a relief.
May our minds instead be like the writer in Proverbs 30:8:
Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. (NIV)
Let’s focus our energies on eternal things that matter and let God handle our daily needs.
What worry do you need to leave in God’s hands today?
An entrepreneur at heart, Jill’s passion began as a teen when she spent a summer working with her father who ran his own business. When he put her in charge of a Coke machine and allowed her to keep the profits, she saw the benefits of being her own boss. She is the founder of the popular Christian work-at-home website: CWAHM.com.
Jill is a contributing author in several books including Faith Deployed … Again and co-author of So You Want To Be a Work-at-Home Mom. Jill also has articles published in In Touch Magazine and P31 Woman magazine, as well as across the web on sites like DrLaura.com.