He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.—Proverbs 28:25
When my kids were little, I remember reading the following verse from the book of James.
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?—James 4:1
I asked myself, What causes me to be contentious, impatient or unkind? The answer came very quickly...when I am not getting what I want....when I am not getting what I think I am owed.
I can remember spending days after that in this verse and others that spoke to pride and humility. As a young believer, I loved that God had placed built in rewards for the humble, and I was even thankful for the consequences that were pride’s result. The battle of my will versus my God’s is always a struggle, but the more I surrender and trust God instead of struggling for myself, the more I see that I am made to prosper or made “fat” as the KJV says. Struggling for “my”rights or “my” way ALWAYS brings discord, discontent and strife. I dwell at ease when my heart commits its cause to my God. So much effort and energy goes into fighting for my way...energy that could be expended in His Spirit for His cause. God’s people do not have to worry about themselves. They can focus on others because, as Spurgeon says, God cares for their “estate.” Beloved, the Lord brings us forward and the Lord holds us back. Let Him do His perfect work in your life and your heart. Allow Him full sway. Live in continual dependence upon your God and His grace. Find your satisfaction in Him and dwell in ease and fullness of joy. Now the just shall live by faith, and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. ❤️
