Do You Look to Your Own Resources? Or Do You Look to Your Source?

I struggle with this all the time. Resources vs. Source. If only I had more money….. If only I had more time…. If only we had our water supply taken care of with a manual pump… If only our garden was completely built… If only I had better skincare products that would take away all my wrinkles…. If only I was 15 pounds lighter…. If only I could take this course or that course and get smarter…. If only, if only, if only…..

And too often I turn to my own strengths to make these things happen. And you know what? My strength is SO weak. It’s limited. And how wrong to forget the source of my power and energy is not from me…but from God.

I am NOT the source of getting any of these things done. It’s a lie that I like to tell myself, to be honest. It’s full of ego and fake power. It’s leaning on human ways instead of God.

The fact of the matter is this:

God is our Source. He is the source of ALL of our resources, abilities, and things we have available to us. He provides for us. He gives. We just need to live in faith, pray, and never get discouraged. We just need to remember to look up.

I’m guilty. (Luckily I’m also forgiven.)

I turn to wishing for more motivation, for more money to do the things I want to do around here, for more focus and concentration. I turn to wishing for more of all the things. You know, all the things I “think” will get me ahead. That will make us more income. Things I “think” matter.

I get frustrated with “my” lack of being able to do “x,” “y,” or “z.” I sometimes even get angry that our lives aren’t progressing like “I” think they should be. After all, shouldn’t we be farther along by now?

Instead, I should be very, very simply….turning to God as my source.

Turning to God as my provider, and my only provider. Turning to Him for all my guidance, for my security, for my hopes for things not just here on earth but in heaven. Turning to the Father in sheer gratitude every single moment for all that He has given us.

Like many, I forget this, though. During the daily grind of work, of financial worry, of hoping our garden produces a LOT this year, of trying to make sure I’ve done “all” the things…. And I work grimly away, trying my best so I can earn more money so I can keep us afloat. So I can make more online friends. So I can get my businesses going well.

Well, my friend!

That’s just ALL wrong!

What I should be doing is simply….my best. And my best is simple:

Praying for right decisions. Praying for the right resources. And praying for the discernment to recognize God’s gifts when they are handed to me on a silver platter….

And they are. All the time.

These gifts and resources may not be what I’m personally looking to find. And they may not be what I want. But God is so good, and He gives us each what we need.

We just need to ask and expect that things will all work out.

Don’t they always?

When we find ourselves in a pickle, or in a jam that we may or may not have created for ourselves….God can get us out. There might be some uncomfortableness, and that is an opportunity to grow. To learn. To become better.

Today, consider your frustrations. Consider your attitude toward where your powers come from. Consider where your resources come from.

They come from God, our Heavenly Father, our Friend.

Here are some verses that help me remember my Source:

“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His site.” 1 John 21-22

“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

And those of the world are not of the spirit….our Source.

“Abraham called the name of that place ‘The Lord Will Provide,’ as it is said to this day, ‘In the mount of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14

**God will provide for us. It may or may not be what we expect, but it will all be for good.

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:14

**At the proper time….

Remember, God’s time is not ours. We must have faith and know in our hearts that where we are right now is where we are supposed to be. This doesn’t mean to stop doing good, to stop trying. It means we need to remember who is the Source of every single thing we need. Of every resource we need.

I’d love to know what you think on this matter.

Please do leave a comment in the comments section. Sometimes I write things, and I miss something important that I could have or should have said. I’d love if you’d contribute your thoughts.

Love, Peace, and Blessings,

Heidi

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P.P.S. You might enjoy this sermon by Tony Evans, as it was the inspiration for this post.