Living a Spirit Led Life

Hearing from God in Everyday Living

Kathy Bricel

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Word of the Day: Comfortable

The Invitation: I like to be comfortable. I like to know what I’m doing, feel confident in my abilities, and have a clear sense of direction moving forward. When I wander too far off the comfort path, I am tempted to turn back to what is familiar. I’ll stop pursuing the dream or possibility—the very thing my heart desires—because uncertainty and the unknown make me nervous.

My heart’s desires often reside in the unknown, and wandering into that territory requires trust. New circumstances, challenges, and opportunities will require me to listen to the Holy Spirit and follow His leading. I know the Lord leads me to freedom—healthier relationships, living more like Jesus lived, and no fear. But my self-talk promotes comfort and can be quite persuasive.

Thankfully, the voice of Freedom is not swayed and continues to challenge me to believe and act on scriptures that bring liberty. Staying comfortable has a great cost. Will I choose freedom even though I won’t always be comfortable? Yes.

 At last we have freedom, for Christ has set us free!
We must always cherish this truth and firmly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past.
–Galatians 5:1 (TPT)

Give it a try: Lord, I desire freedom over comfort. I want to cherish the truth ,and I refuse to go back into the bondage of the past. Lead me into places that require me to trust in Your goodness and kindness. I’m willing to leave me comfort zone.

Is there a place in my life where I am choosing comfort over freedom—over how You’re calling me to live?
What is it costing me?
Show me, from Your perspective, what freedom looks like in this place.

(Respond to the Lord. Will you come into agreement with Him? Will you give it a try?)

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Word of the Day: Backwards

The Invitation: “Tell the women they can live in perfect peace,” I sensed the Lord saying when I asked what to share at a women’s event.

“How is that possible?” I questioned, not wanting to speak words I didn’t always live out.

“By living life backwards.”

Not knowing what that meant, I prayed, “Lord, tell me more.”

I sensed the Holy Spirit taking me on a life journey in my imagination. But it didn’t start with my childhood. It began by viewing myself living in the fullness of the promises of God that will be mine in heaven. I sensed total joy, contentment, and peace. Then I saw my current life circumstances through the lens of what is coming, and I realized how that changes my view of things now. Living life backwards made sense.

Practically, if I’m worried about having enough finances, I remember the streets in heaven are paved with gold. If I am worried about health issues or death, I remember He is our Healer and has already overcome death. As I practiced this way of thinking, I couldn’t find anything to worry about that God has not promised to restore and make new.

Let’s give it a try. Take a few minutes and imagine:

  • You know you’re going to come into great wealth and it will cover every need you can imagine. There is nothing you lack to live comfortably, with more than enough to share with others.
  • Your health is completely restored and you have ample energy, wisdom, and time for everything you need to do.
  • You are with those you love without worry of loss or separation.
  • There is internal and external peace and harmony in every area of your life.
  • This is your destiny. This is your destination. This is heaven. Imagine what it’s like.
  • Now look at a current situation in your life with this mindset.
  • Ask the Lord for His perspective. What have you been missing? What is the Lord’s heart? What does He have in store down the road?

What did God show you when you looked at life backwards? When I imagine life from this viewpoint, I think, What am I so afraid of? The Lord is making provision for everything. He’s got this!

It can be a challenge to believe the promises of God, but they are there. They are real and they are available today. Imagine the peace-of-mind you would have if you actively trusted God to deliver on His promises.

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You
[with hope and confident expectation].
–Isaiah 26:3 (AMP)

Your Response: Lord, what would it look like for me to trust and take refuge in You today, full of hope and a joyful expectation of good? Show me one way I can live my life backwards.

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What if We Weren’t Afraid of Missing Out?

Page 5: What If . . .

The fear of missing out has become so commonplace that it now has its own acronym: FOMO. We’re afraid of missing out on great opportunities, the right timing or relationship, the chance of a lifetime, popularity, making a difference—the list is long. But it’s the same old lie, the same old story. It’s Adam and Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3:1-7).

Perhaps God wanted Adam and Eve to develop maturity before knowing about good and evil, and as a protection, told them not to eat from that one tree. In the Garden, they had everything they needed. God was their companion and would lead them through each day. But instead of obeying God, they decided to judge for themselves what they should do. They listened to the serpent, believed a lie, and had the first earthly case of FOMO. They were afraid of missing out.

Today the lie is fueled by serpents in the form of the media, advertising, comparison, and discontent. The sources are endless. Instead of fearing we’re missing out, what if we lived with the firm belief God is caring for us? What if we implicitly trusted Him in all things, at all times, in all ways? What might life be like? Let’s explore this idea.

Take a moment and imagine:
You are in the center of a giant garden. Everywhere you look there is lush beauty and provision. Four rivers flow through the garden, each watering the land and contributing to the abundant splendor. The garden is described as paradise, a place of bliss and delight. It is your home.

Everything you need to sustain your life and well-being can be found here, and everything in the garden is available to you. Everything, except for one tree. The generous Giver-of-Life has asked you not to eat off the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. For if you do, you will die—the purity of your soul will be tainted.

You are content and satisfied with life in paradise and can’t imagine not willingly agreeing with your Creator. Life is good. Every need you have— physical, emotional and spiritual—is being met. You trust and delight in your Creator and the companion He has given you. You live free, covering nothing.

One day, you encounter a creature who questions you about the Giver-of-Life. You try to explain what God said and did not say. The creature questions you again, placing doubt in your mind. Confusion enters in and you wonder if God is holding something back from you? Are you missing out—being deprived of the exquisite looking fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Are you limiting yourself by not eating it? And besides, did God actually tell you that you’d die? Why would He say that?

So you eat. You offer your companion a bite. And your eyes are open to things you didn’t need to know. You are embarrassed by your nakedness, and shame seeps into your soul. You cover your body. You cover your heart. You hide from God. And you begin to die. The safety you felt in His presence is gone. You’re embarrassed to see Him. Where can you find rest for your soul?

Try it out:

Listen to God: Take a few minutes and compare the difference you sensed in your well-being at the first of the story and then at the end. Ask God at which point in the story you live in most days. Take time to listen.

Think about it: It’s the same old story, the same old lie. Did God really say that? Is He keeping something good from me? Am I missing out? Imagine if you trusted God and chose to believe He always has your best interest in mind. What if you stopped wondering if you should judge for yourself? Just imagine…

Return to rest, O my soul,
For the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.
–Psalm 11:7

Pray: Lord, forgive me for not trusting You, for wondering if I’m missing out on something in life. I’m constantly bombarded with opportunities, possibilities, and seemingly good ideas. Lord, is there an area where FOMO is robbing me of Your ways and Your peace?

(If something comes to mind, ask the Lord what He has to say about the situation. Next ask what needs to change in your thinking or actions. Then respond to Him.)

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Word of the Day: Soul Rest

The Invitation: Rest is usually considered a physical need. But now, more than ever, rest is also needed for the soul. On a daily basis we are bombarded with new ideas, demands, political agendas, bad news and relational issues. These, along with the uncertainty of the times, can feel weighty. So how can we find rest for our soul? What does it even look like?

It seems the one place our soul is truly able to find rest is by returning to the Lord. He knows what we need for the day. Is it His comfort, truth, or promises? Perhaps a walk, companionship, or music? Listen to Him, learn from Him, and your soul will find rest.

Return to your rest, my soul,
    for the Lord has been good to you.
–Psalm 116:7 (NIV)

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.
–Psalm 23:1-3a (NIV)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
–Matthew 11:28,29 (NIV)

Your Response: Lord, sometimes I feel burdened by the world around me, and my soul is weary and looking for rest. I take this opportunity now to turn my focus, love and affection to You. Speak to me, Lord, as I listen.

(Read through the scriptures above. With each one, ask the Lord: What is it You want to show me or You want me to know about rest?)

(Then ask the Lord how you are to apply your insights to this day.)