Life Stabilizers (2)

'...like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.' James 1:6 CEV

Here are two more life-stabilizers. First, submission. Our ego always wants to 'do it our way', for our purposes and our pleasure. The result is a hardening of the attitudes-a dangerous resistance to God. So His Word says, '...warn each other every day...that none ...will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.' (Hebrews 3:13 NLT) Like a pond gradually freezing in winter, our self-will slowly rigidifies, destroying our spiritual sensitivity. The Spirit's gentle influence no longer moves us; we're left feeling content and justified doing our own thing, to our own demise. It's not wrong to have our own will, and God won't 'cure' or 'deliver' us from it. But He intends us to line our will up with His. A good racehorse must have a will in order to win, but its will must be submitted to the rider's directions or winning will be impossible. 'The sacrifices of God are a broken [submitted] spirit [will]: a broken...heart...God...will not despise.' (Psalm 51:17 NKJV) Secondly, self-sacrifice. The world's philosophy is 'Get and keep all you can!' Few things sabotage our peace and stability like this philosophy. 'Take care of yourself' isn't a Kingdom principle. 'If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for Me, you will find true life.' (Matthew 16:25 NLT) Psychologists say that grasping, and holding on to things and people only makes us anxious, possessive, controlling and difficult to live with! That's why Jesus said, 'Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses [invests] his life will preserve it.' (Luke 17:33 NIV) You've tried everything else-now try giving yourself fully to God!