Living a Spirit Led Life

Hearing from God in Everyday Living

peace

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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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Word of the Day: Rest

The Invitation: I told the Lord I wanted to be at peace and was surprised when I sensed He wanted me to be at rest. “Why not peace?” I wondered, so I listened for more.

Soon I realized that I sometimes compromise, choosing temporary peace rather than true peace. I opt for lack of conflict—what seems like the easiest way–and become a peacekeeper instead of a peacemaker. But discussing disagreements and working through things are often the vehicles that lead to true peace. And it’s in true peace we find true rest.*

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.
He guides me along the right path
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
—Psalm 23:1-4 (NIV)

For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors,
just as God did after creating the world.
—Hebrews 4:10 (NLT)

Your Response: Lord, sometimes I am in danger of missing Your gift of true rest because I don’t fully believe Your promises. My unbelief keeps me from doing the hard things or causes me to strive instead of trust You . Is there a false belief that holds me back from entering into true rest?

Good Shepherd, as I seek You today, would You tell me or show me what rest looks like from Your perspective?

(Take a minute and pray Psalm 23:1-4 over yourself. Practice resting. Let God lead you. Then ask Him to help you live in His rest today, no matter what is going on.)

*Rest can be described as a state of peace, contentment, serenity, refreshment, stillness, tranquility, or calm. The qualities of rest include: quietness of heart; a sober awareness of who we are and who God is; an ability to let go (and not try so hard, even at resting); an ability to enjoy leisure, nature, and things that do not involve performance; reflection; trust; an ability to live from our higher or true self –to determine our values and live by them, enjoying the moment, not living in the past or the future; breathing easily and deeply; waiting without impatience; not being impulsive or rash.
–Dr. Siang-Yang Tan (Rest: Experiencing God’s Peace in a Restless World)

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Word of the Day: I’ve Got This

The invitation: “I’m worried about you,” we say, wanting the other person to know how much we care. Or even “I was up all night worrying about you!” when a situation is heavy on our heart. Worry can be our default mode—a habit—when we feel things are out of control.

An area of habitual worry was recently brought to my attention. Once again I brought all my concerns to God in prayer. But instead of going on and on, I paused and sensed Him saying, “Relax. I’ve got this.” The built-up tension began to drain out of my mind and body, and hope and peace had room to settle in. “He’s got this,” I thought. “If the God of the universe is on this, I can relax.”

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
–Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

Your Response: Lord, forgive me for focusing on the things that might go wrong instead of all that is possible through You. I want to live in unforced rhythms of grace. I want to relax and trust You in every area of my life. As I keep company with You, teach me to live freely and lightly.

Lord, is there a place where worry has become a habit for me? (Pause and listen.)

What would it look like to relax and trust You in this area? Give me a picture or a sense of what it would be like to live free of worry. (Listen and respond.)

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for helping me change my habits as I walk with You and work with You. Today I choose to live differently—to live freely–to relax and believe that You’ve got this!