*sigh* Our need to trust Him more.

If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Matthew 7:11

Do you really know what is best for you? The Holy Spirit reminded me of the parent and young child example – how a good parent works hard to give the things that are best for their child, even when the child thinks differently. Sometimes we as children, complain, throw a tantrum, get mad, and display all sorts of contrary emotions and say things that aren’t in agreement with our ‘Parent’. Why? We think we know what’s best for us. Does that really change as we get older? Are we able to be patient when things aren’t ‘going our way’? Do we complain to God how bad we think it is? How much do we really trust Him? Do you really think He knows best? Do your prayers show that trust in God? Or are we like a young child always asking for things that show our lack of patience and gratefulness?

Do you believe God really knows what is coming and knows the perfect timing – for you and the circumstances you are currently set in? When we ask – are we asking from a heart full of faith and gratefulness truly knowing His love for us? The Holy Spirit constantly reminds me of His fruit of patience. Can I suffer a long time for things out of my control while I quietly, peacefully, and joyfully wait for Him? Ooof! That’s a really tall order! That measurement definitively shows (or the lack of) my current spiritual maturity. Can I yield my ‘want’ … trusting my heavenly Father knows what’s best for me not only in this moment but over my entire existence! *sigh*

This life is our ‘childhood’ of our eternal existence. In the scope of things… the most ‘mature’ of us are probably like a strong willed two-year old to God. Does He love us less? Of course NOT!!! In fact… the joy of our Father can be realized by us in greater proportion the older we get… if we have learned His lessons. The struggle of this life is learning to surrender our ‘will’ to Him completely in every circumstance and moment.

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21

In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; Ephesians 6:16

Did Paul really think He had ‘made it’? Was He speaking from a prideful attitude when he was advising his brothers and sisters in Christ? Or was he speaking from his own weakness and failures, and hard learned lessons?

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Philippians 3:12-16

Father – I believe YOU really do know what’s best for me! Jesus … thank YOU for Your example. Holy Spirit I surrender to YOU! Teach how to walk with YOU better.