Are you the thermometer or the thermostat in the life of those who care about you? The warm days of summer are here and everyone has seen the thermometer rise, it is inevitable because of the Michigan climate. My wife and I lived in Florida where the summer heat was only relieved by the box fan we owned in our college apartment (air conditioning was used sparingly). We set the thermostat on 82 degrees and were thankful for the relief from the oppressive heat and the fan would just roar. Being a believer in Jesus Christ, does not insulate you from rising temperatures- like difficulties, mishaps, challenges, sickness, accidents, wrong choices and even death does it? No, you still have “life crisis” but how you respond to them tells volumes of your relationship with the Savior.
“So I spake unto the people in the morning: and at even my wife died; and I did in the morning as I was commanded.” Ezekiel 24:18 No one should be held hostage by past decisions, that were mistakes or even sinful. Your attitude of being defeated or in despair will not encourage you or those you care about. Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
What is needed is to set your spiritual thermostat with the following:
- Prayer to the Lord each day over everything, this is you talking to the Lord. Prayer is asking for God’s wisdom and direction in “life”: 1 Thessalonians 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”
- Faithfulness to worship the Lord in church each week and each day in His Word, this is the Lord talking to you. The Lord has established man with a need to fellowship and when it is neglected there is emptiness, discouragement and wandering: Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves together as the manner is some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”
- Accountability to other believers, this is the believer being submissive. Who do you allow “in” to have the liberty to be honest help to you for your present and future good: Ephesians 5:32 “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God as you see the day approaching.”
When difficulties develop, when poor choices have been made, accidents happen, sickness comes and even death of a loved one it is time to continue in what God has proven. His Word should be embraced and applied Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”