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When God
Correction
When things start falling apart, possibly because you and I are doing something contrary to God’s will, He will gently nudge us with a bit of correction.
The correction might come in the form of a job loss, a pay cut, or some unforeseen circumstances that nearly breaks your bank.
However God is not going to leave you or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).
But He does discipline every son or daughter He loves (Hebrews 12:6).
This correction could bring you into a different direction … and a much better one at that.
Direction
His Word acts as a light in the darkness to keep from stumbling (Psalm 119:105).
If you abide in Christ and in His Word, you can ask for anything within God’s will (John 15:4-5, 7).
We know that God works all things together, good and bad, for our very best (Romans 8:28).
Inspection
The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves to see if we are really in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).
A little self-examination never hurts anybody. The interesting thing is, when you examine the Word of God, the Word of God examines you, and if you are like me, you are found wanting.
If God is giving you a greater hunger for the Word of God, and it’s like you cannot get enough of it, He may be pushing you into some sort of teaching ministry.
That hunger and thirst for God’s Word is not from a human source, because none of us seeks God on our own (Romans 3:11).
It is God Who seeks us (John 6:44).
Perhaps it will reveal something better that God desires for your life.
Protection
If God sees that you are about to hurt yourself, then He might move things around in your life to get you out of that situation, whether it is a job or in a relationship.
God may be pushing you, or prompting you, by His Spirit, to change things.
The Spirit of God knows what is best for us, better than we do ourselves.
So try to listen to the Spirit’s prompting of His telling you to do something or to stop doing something.
That is certainly something better and certainly something to think about.
Reflection
After a cousin of mine passed away, everyone could see how hard her grandchildren took, and so I spoke with them about their grief.
Of course I cannot take it away … only God can comfort them in His way and time will help some, but really, you never get over the death of someone you loved.
What might help is the fact that we will see them again.
We have a hope in a future where all our lost loved ones who trusted in Christ will be waiting for us.
That is something you can reflect on.
God is a God of hope, so for these grandchildren, it is not “goodbye,” but “see you later.”
Perfection
When a friend of mine said he was praying for patience, I thought, “Uh oh…wonder what’s next?”
Sure enough, the man had a rough couple of weeks, but after the brief chaos was over in his life, I asked him, “Do you have more patience now?”
He laughed … and said, “Yes.”
When we see trials as a means that God uses to refine us like gold passing through the fire, our perspective will change, and we can learn to be content, which is what Paul had to do.
And since Paul had great suffering, he had lots of opportunities to practice patience and contentment.
Affection
God’s desire is for us to know Christ better, and that should be our desire too.
But how can we know Him better?
The Apostle Paul gives us some help. He wrote, “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:5).
The more you know of Christ and His sufferings (Isaiah 53), the more you will know about Him, and the more you get to know Him, the more you will love Him.
So God wants something better for us, and that is a personal, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
This also gives you that same relationship with the Father, for whoever loves the Son, loves the Father.
Conclusion
God can use correction, direction, inspection, for our protection, and for our reflection.
He is working us towards perfection, and that “push” sometimes hurts, but God’s corrections are done from affection.
The trials of life work together and move us forward in sanctification, and becoming more Christ-like.
Can we learn to praise Him in the storm, in the uncertain future, and when we are being pushed outside of our comfort zone? I say, “Yes!”
What He does in our lives may not always feel “better,” but we know that God does not make mistakes.
All we can do is obey His Word, trust in God, and then leave everything else up to Him ….
Are you struggling with a big decision or wondering how your eternal future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the universe and let Him work in your behalf?
He says, “I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the following prayer:
“Heavenly Father,
I admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
I want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am born again.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who is in me now. I surrender my life to You. I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use me for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Jack Wellman is a husband of a beautiful, godly wife, Martha, with two children and 7 grandchildren. He is a bi-vocational Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren Church in Mulvane Kansas but chiefly a sinner saved by grace. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know (WCWTK) whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. WCWTK also desires to help believers to be active participants in the Great Commission. Jack has written several books which are available in hard copy as well as Kindle edition. Visit this link for his books: Jack Wellman Christian Author
https://faithinthenews.com/4-signs-god-is-pushing-you-into-something-better/
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