Depend on God - Peaceable Thoughts

Depend on God / Author: Cynthia Greene

We live in a world that puts great value on independence, self-sufficiency, self-reliance, independent thinking, personal accomplishments, hard work, inner strength, goal-setting, and forging your own path. These are all good character traits, but if we are not conscious of serving the Lord then these mind-sets can lead us to focus solely on ourselves. We can think about what we alone can do and accomplish through our own human strengths and abilities. Self-reliance can leave God completely out of the picture and forget that we need God in our lives. A self-oriented striving approach like this can produce a life without meaning and purpose. The deception of self-dependence is that it makes us believe we are actually in control.

Wait. You mean we aren’t in control?

They traded the truth about God for a lie…they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! (Romans 1:18-24, NLT)

For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2:23)

But there is a choice–to become God-Dependent.

The Bible teaches that as Believers in Christ we should live our lives dependent on God all the time. We need to look to Him for our strength, power and use the gifts and talents God has given us to encourage and serve others.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ²Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Col 3:23-24)

How do we become God-Dependent?

Ask for forgiveness for being self-reliant and self-dependant.
Ask God to help you to look to Him. (Mark 9:23-25)
Choose to believe and have faith that God will help you.
Give God all your worries and cares. (1 Peter 5:7)
Trust God and do not depend on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Take confidence that God will help us in every situation.
Bring your burdens to God and He will sustain you. (Psalm 55:22)
Allow God to work and direct your paths in life. (Proverbs 16:3)
In times of waiting and uncertainty stay focused on God.

The world may see dependence on God as a weakness, but it is just the opposite. Who better than our Creator and Father God to put our trust and reliance in. He has our best interest at heart. He will never fail or leave us.

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9)

I can do all things through ^[^a^]Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose hope is the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7)

Journal Prompts

In what areas of my life am I depending on myself for my needs and direction?
How can I more fully depend on God in your life?
Where do you see God working in your life?
What prayers have been answered recently?
Describe the peace you have when you rely on God?
How can you use the gifts and talents God has given you to serve others?
How have your trials helped you to focus on faith in God?
Am I loving the Lord with all my heart? Do I give Him wholehearted devotion or do I reserve some of my love for idols?

Song: Abide