Doubt is a thing of this world. It is not something that lives in the Spirit. We never have to be concerned about God’s intent for our lives. In fact, we can have confidence that He will carry out everything to its completion. When we allow God to dwell in our lives His good work cannot help but flourish in our lives. Anytime we feel doubt about the direction of our lives or what we are doing this is the greatest indication that we need to invite God into all the areas of our lives that doubt is creeping into. God will never promote doubt. He brings about only confidence. Our mindset can be secure in the direction we are taking when we are turning to Him for every detail.
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
The path that God has called us to is so much higher than conformity. He has called us to live outside of conforming. The hard truth is that conforming is easy and thus appealing, but it keeps everyone in a vicious cycle. The cycle of comparison and no forward progress. Living outside of conformity keeps our minds clear and able to be renewed for the big things God has planned for us. God’s ways are so much more grand than the ways of this world. He defies all logic and practicality. Our minds are renewed when we move in the Spirit and do not follow how the world is doing things. We break the vicious cycle. We are only able to do this when we stay tuned into His will above our own. His will will always develop a spiritual maturity in us that will improve our ability to have faith for tomorrow and relinquish the need for certainty about what is to come.
Do 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 12:2 NIV
Considerations for your planner:
- Do you live with doubts? Write them down and invite God to direct your path.
- How are you conforming to the world? Write down the ways in which you compare yourself with others.
A Story of Not Conforming:
Growing up I did not come from much. Our family was definitely lower middle class and thus I am pretty sure my parents made just enough to get by. We never went hungry, but we certainly wanted for all kinds of things we just could not afford. I remember resenting this way of living, because I compared my circumstances to those that had so much around me.
When I left for college I knew I needed to pick a job that guaranteed decent money once I graduated. Unfortunately, this way of thinking had me in the rat race with the rest of the world and I became consumed with the dollar amount I could make. Before too long I equated my worth to that dollar amount.
As I have moved from college, to the professional realm, and now into a space of finding what I love to do, I have learned that the dollar amount is something that should be paid little attention to. It has taken me almost 2 decades to come through to this realization, and finally be in a place where I am letting God direct me and not the money I can make. Being in this mindset has brought far more abundance to my life and He always provides. I don’t have to worry about the money. Besides, it was never mine in the first place.
- Anonymous
Strengthen the Christian Planner Family by sharing your experiences. We'd love to hear a story about God's work in your life. Use the form linked below to submit your story.
