“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants” Philippians 2:13
We were at a garden market choosing flowers for our garden. For 49 years of our marriage I have always done this myself because my husband was working at ministry things. This year we did it together and I discovered our preferences are quite different. Not that one was better than the other – just different.
My first inward reaction was that my preference would look better. But the Holy Spirit reminded me that this was my husband’s garden too. So after discussing various options, we came up with a compromise that satisfied both of us. After planting the flowers together, we agreed the flower garden looked great.
Seemingly little things, but this is what life is made of. How we respond to circumstances can make our life enjoyable or not.
God gave me the grace to yield and not argue. Circumstances in our life keep changing which means we have to change as well. We are unable to change without the Holy Spirit’s power. The above promise from Philippians has been so helpful to me. God helps us want to obey Him and then He also gives us the power to do it.
I thought of a statement Dr. Henry Brandt often used in his talks, “Circumstances will always reveal your spirit.”
How are you doing today? Do you need God’s help to change? He is eager to help you – just ask Him.
Are you ready to ask the Holy Spirit to direct your life? Why not pray this simple prayer right now and by faith invite God to fill you with His Spirit:
Dear Father, I need you. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you by directing my own life. I thank you that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.