Can Severe, Difficult Problems Be Avoided?

What would you like to change about your lifestyle so there could be more joy and peace? Perhaps this year has been one of struggle so you need somewhat of a lifestyle change. Trials and tribulations are indicators of needed change, but it’s difficult to balance change with your lifestyle.

The good news is that severe problems or even a crisis can be avoided by facing particular issues rather than denying they exist. Needed change is prompted by lingering, persistent issues that cause stress and a potential crisis. Promise now to take the steps toward corrective change.

To keep your promise, remind yourself how God has blessed you throughout your life by keeping his promises. Listen to 2 Corinthians 7:1. “Therefore since you have these promises, purify yourselves from everything that contaminates your body and spirit. Strive to be completely holy out of awe for the Lord God.”  He will enable you to do this. 

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Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is the faithful God who for a thousand generations keeps his promises and constantly loves those who love him and who obey his commands.

~Deuteronomy 7:9 The Living Bible

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Reverence for God – Reclaim the Treasure

There are those who suggest that we’ve lost true reverence for just about everything that deserves it. Instead, we reverence what is transient and temporal, such as success, wealth, and sex. Initially, reverence usually provokes images of worship and devotion that belong to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.

If reverence is accepted as a virtue, then reclaiming reverence and focusing on it as highly desirable would be the right thing to do. Some people in our society believe marriage deserves reverence and devotion. When marriage is acknowledged as deserving loyalty, faithfulness, and respect, then choosing a lifelong partner should be done with God’s approval.

God's word tells us not to conform to this world's image but be transformed to a new way of thinking by understanding God's will for our lives. To have reverence for God and for what he approves provides a quality to life that is worth obtaining. This treasure guarantees security for eternity and peace with God.  

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With these promises ringing in our ears, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from anything that pollutes body or soul. Let us prove our reverence for God by consecrating ourselves to him completely.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Phillips – New Testament in Modern English 

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Rediscovering Reverence

History acknowledges that thousands of Russians came forward to mourn the death of Joseph Stalin, knowing he was responsible for the death and enslavement of millions of the Russian people. Despite knowing this, the people still needed to adore and show reverence for him. Reverence is a mindset that elevates someone above normal.

At the other end of the spectrum is one’s losing reverence for what should be honored and respected. Becoming too self-centered is usually the culprit for becoming less reverent in one's thoughts and feelings. The early Christians’ reverence for Jesus was apparent, for they honored him above everything and everyone.

John Greenleaf Whittier offered this prayer for those who had  become indifferent to the virtue of reverence: "Dear Lord and Father of mankind, Forgive our foolish ways! Reclothe in us our rightful mind, In purer hearts Thy service find, In deeper reverence, praise." We need this prayer to help us rediscover reverence for the Lord God and Christ Jesus.  

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Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There Is hope for you yet!

~Proverbs 23:17-18 The Living Bible

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