Daily Devotional

From the book: “Becoming Emotionally Whole” By Charles Stanley 

KEY #3: Sucure God’s Healing for Your Faults

All people have something about themselves–their personalities, their backgrounds, their abilities–that they don’t like. Everyone has a tendency to concentrate more on the flaws and points of weakness than on the strengths.

Some things in life are givens. For example, you can’t change the family into which you were born, the nation in which you were born, your race, your physical stature and basic genetic code, and so forth. Certain physical weaknesses or disabilities cannot be changed. When you face these unchangeable things about yourself, you are wise to accept the way God make you. To do anything else is counterproductive. You need to assume God has a plan and purpose for every detail of your creation.

Some things in life are givens because of the state of the world in which you live. For example, you may not be able to do anything to alter the fact that your parents are divorced, or that your children are divorced. But you can pray that the Lord will bring about healing in you and in your loved ones.

In yet another area, elements of your personality can  be changed. For example, you may think that you are jealous by nature. Let me assure you, envy is an acquired trait. You can ask the Lord to heal you of your jealousy and to help you to trust Him and, in your trust of Him, to trust others.

How do you become healed?

First, you identify the character or personality trait that you know is displeasing to the Lord and ask Him to forgive you for allowing this trait to develop.

Second, you ask Him to heal you of this tendency.

Third, you give Him permission to do whatever He needs to do in your life to make you whole.

Fourth, accept with your faith that God is at work in your life and that He will make you whole in His timing and according to His methods.

God is merciful. He forgives; He heals; He enters with His divine presence any area of your life that you open up to Him.

 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.
1 Thess. 5:23-24

Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel.  And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:  “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel! Jer. 18:3-6

• In what areas of your emotional life are you being challenged today to trust God to heal you?

KEY #4  Stop Bartering with God

Maybe you have an approach to God that can be stated like this: “If I just work hard enough and do enough good in my life, God will approve of me.” You are attempting to barter good works for God’s acceptance.

God accepts you! But you are having trouble accepting God’s love.

You may have difficulty accepting the mercy of God because you have never fully received God’s love. Or you may be so accustomed to the give-and-take, buy-and-sell nature of our culture that you assume you can deal with God the same way: “You do this for me and I’ll do this for You.” God doesn’t operate according to that human principle.

God’s principle is on of total acceptance of you when you ask for His forgiveness and seek to do His will. If He desires to change something in your life–always for your good and for your eventual blessing–His chastisement is patient and kind (never beyond your ability to bear), and His love is constant (never withheld or removed). You can’t barter your way around God’s will. Stop trying.

What should be your approach instead of bartering?

Trust God, Ask Him for what you desire, and then trust Him to answer your prayer according to His wisdom and infinite provision.

We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe 1 Tim. 4:10

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you Matt. 6:33

I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord Zeph. 3:12

• In what ways are you being challenged today to trust God for all that you need, especially in the areas of emotional love, support, and wholeness?

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