Obedience is Highly Rewarded

I want to start by saying that to be fully obedient. You must trust Him. Some things that may be asked of you could seem cumbersome or even grievous to the flesh. But what I know and can assure you is that God is not a man.

As a nurse, I am confronted by patients who feel that their lives are spiraling out of control. Just completing the basic activities of daily living or ADLs takes painstaking effort and energy.

Because of this, they get lost in themselves. Reverting to behavior that should have been outgrown.

This is also attributed to the lack of care and empathy that they are receiving from staff. Increasing feelings of vulnerability.

It is written, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Corinthians 13: 11, KJV).

The Importance of a Sound Mind

I don’t say this to make fun or out of spite. It just reinforces a mindset that should have never been allowed to be seen as “okay”. On both sides of the spectrum. Everyone feeling justified. Without accepting responsibility for their own behaviors.

Every command from the LORD will have a purpose. There is no manipulation or temptation in Him.

While thanking Him that I am finally able to understand that obedience is a good thing. But let me be specific. Reverence to the Holy Spirit is a good thing.

Ponder over how much heartache, wasted time, and expended energy is reserved. The elimination of redundancy. Errors. And a whole lot of foolishness.

It can even save your life and even more importantly, your very soul and the lives of others.

Decency and Order

There are benefits to this. To fully comprehend its magnitude, you have to be on a whole new intimate level in the LORD.
Ponder these two scriptures. “For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Isaiah 28: 10, KJV). And “Let all things be done decently and in order”(1 Corinthians 14: 40, KJV).

Do not be deceived for to whom much is given, much is required. It takes time, patience, and a supernatural level of faith to get to this level.
Remember Abram and Moses were asked to leave everything and everyone they knew and loved. They did not know what they were walking into. Consider the gravity of what was required of them.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen.

For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are not seen were not made of things which do appear.” (Hebrews 11: 1-3, KJV).

Obedience is a Prerequisite of Faith

Let me simplify this last scripture with the amplified version. “By faith [that is, with an inherent trust and enduring confidence in the power, wisdom, and goodness of God] we understand that the worlds (universe, ages) were framed and created [formed, put in order, and equipped for their intended purpose] by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible”.
Did you get that? Our God is the innovator, originator, and creator of beginnings.

If you are looking for it to be easy all the time, you are in the wrong place. Likely not realizing how this mindset has affected your growth in all aspects of life.

The caveat: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11: 6, KJV).

Now faith and trust go hand in hand. It is impossible to have one without the other.

 The Strength of His Love

Consider what Paul says. “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (1 Corinthians 3: 1-3, KJV).

We are safe with God no matter what He asks of us because His love for us cannot be matched by us or anyone or anything else.

“For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced-beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers,

nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our LORD” (Romans 8: 38-39, AMP).

Time is a Precious Commodity

Let me continue to connect the dots. As I become more compliant. I am becoming more at peace. I can see that the grind does pay dividends! (Thanks, Tony Gaskins).

But we must be content in seeking Him and His righteousness. Not for material gain. But out of awe-filled reverence and respect.

One of my pet peeves is the redundancy of having to do something again or dealing with “time wasters”.

The Israelites wandered because they could not get it right. They died off. Their mindsets only served to destroy them.

Which is why I am thankful when I observe this that now I set boundaries and look for guidance from the Spirit.

Many are Sick and Heavy Laden

People who delve into this behavior would see it as being funny and condescending. Looking at you as if you were the puppet. Not realizing that they are imprisoned in their minds. Not realizing that this keeps them bound in their bodies. Sick and broken. Unable to come out of bondage. Projecting their shame unto others.

Take this literally as I close. Because I am feeling lighter. More at peace. And confident knowing that my God has got me.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us,

[looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]” (Hebrews 12: 1-2, AMP).

Let Me Kick You Back Some Knowledge

Let me tell you something. The devil, through people, will induce pride and haughtiness in you by perpetuating a negative cycle of worrying about what others think.

Because when you do good and study to show yourself approved to Him. People are going to look at you like you are doing too much. With that deceitful barrage of looks and whispers, “He/She is slave-minded and weak”. Don’t internalize that. Stay focused!

This humiliation breeds contempt. If you are looking for the approval of man, then you might as well sit on the sidelines with the “cool” mockers and scoffers.

Know this. “For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose]” (Hebrews 12: 11, AMP).

Cultivate, nurture, and develop these traits that will propel you into the peace and joy that surpasses any man’s understanding.

Always coming from a place of love.

Originally written on December 12, 2022.

Schedule Life Coaching Sessions – benevolentwoman.com

https://benevolent-woman-4.creator-spring.com