Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust, He Who Is In Me Can!

Step 1: Pray. Select.  

The morning brought dark clouds over our usual sun-filled sky in the desert. I must admit, I was secretly hoping for some much-needed rain.

I sat cozy in my oversized reading chair before sunrise, thinking about how sure I was that the sun would rise each day. So why am I not sure God will do what he says every day? Why do I step ahead on the daily tasks I have ahead, still allowing a crevice of worry to seep into my thoughts about getting everything done that is expected of me in my day when God has proven time and time again to faithfully provide for exactly what I need when I ask Him.

The answer is simple - defiance. Not defiance on God's part, but defiance on my part to fully surrender and get out of His way.

I looked up the most connected scripture to the word defiance and was led to Proverbs 3:5-6.

I didn't overthink this today, I just decided to surrender and see where I would be led.

Step 2: Write. Read. Circle

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

After reading the scripture three times, the following words stood out:

• Trust

• The LORD

• Acknowledge Him

• He Shall Direct Your Paths

Step 3: Re-Write

Adding my name to the front and with a focus on the words that stood out, here is the sentence(s) I came up with for today:

• Jennifer, trust in the LORD, acknowledge him, he shall direct your paths.

Step 4: Visualize

As I obediently cleared my mind, the word "trust" reverberated within my soul.

A game I used to play as a child came to my remembrance. I don't recall the name of it, but it is a trust exercise where you put your arms straight out, close your eyes, and begin to fall backward, all while having the faith that your friend or whoever is playing with you will catch you.

I thought about the posture we take in that "T" position and how when Jesus was nailed to the cross during the crucifixion, he held the identical posture, having faith that God would catch him when he fell and resurrect him.

I am in awe of his bravery to walk the earth and claim what the Father told him, knowing it would eventually lead to his death, but trusting the redemption of the world and his resurrection would come to pass. WOW!

Then I think back to this silly game that came to mind, and how nerve-wracking it is to play when you are falling back into someone's arms you don't completely trust. Ultimately, if you have ever played this game, it is usually anyone on this earth, to be completely honest. Even those we think we trust that are closest to us, once we step into position, there is always a little anxiety over the situation.

Then I think about the LORD, and every time I close my eyes to fall into his presence for any decision throughout my day, he has gently guided me in the right direction and never let me down. He directs my path while being so tender with me. Even if I have decided to go my own wayward way at first, not consulting him, and after I realize I have gone astray and he has tried to stop me, he has always welcomed me back like the story of the prodigal son. With open arms!

So why do we make our lives more difficult by forgetting our safety net or wrapping ourselves up in our safety blanket of God's covering before journeying through the wilderness of the unknown in life? One word comes to mind. DEFIANCE.

This led me to think about where defiance comes from. Why do we choose over and over to be defiant instead of taking a beat to look up and talk to God about any and all decisions we have ahead? Satan defied God and was cast out of Heaven, so why do we choose his way of moving forward without consulting God more than God's way, which is to seek him first?

I have come to an interesting revelation. Idolatry.

In essence, we have allowed everything to become our idol, dictating our first moves over our schedule, life, and any other thing we need to organize or spend time without consulting God. The enemy has played on our emotions to propel us into his will to move fast, compete, or "Keep up with the Joneses" instead of having a laser focus on the will of our Father, who truly knows what is best for us.

But in reality, how can one person, or even a group of people, have any power to change anything with the world moving so fast?

The answer is simple, and the Holy Spirit quickly reminds me of the scripture, "He that is in me is greater than he who is in the world." We can't, but He can!

If we know without a doubt that we carry the most valuable thing inside us, Jesus, then we would understand, act, and conduct ourselves differently. Protecting at all costs what we have.

When pregnant, you only eat and drink what is good for the baby because you understand the miracle growing and living inside you. And what you are giving birth to or what will come out of you can be a change maker, a chain breaker, or a giant killer destroying generational curses. Even if you don't believe in yourself, you find a level of hopefulness inside for the baby to be. The gift of life living inside of you.

Now imagine that same feeling, but we understand that it is the power of the Holy Spirit and Jesus within us, living inside our souls through baptism. Do you not believe the child of God we carry within us can't do miraculous things everywhere we go. If we just agree with the Father's will, we will allow the spirit within us to be released freely as we move throughout the earth and in covenant with God, sharing the yolk of being the light of the world.

So, friends, God is telling me this morning to remind you and myself of who lives inside us and to stop defying what he wants to do in our everyday lives. He is the way, the truth, and the light, and the truth will surely set us all free from the Spirit of Defiance so we can fully walk into the will of God in our lives.

Step 5: Ask. Seek

The main question(s) that came to mind were:

• Holy Spirit, what can I do to remind myself that I carry the greatest gift of all, Jesus, inside me today?

Step 6: Hear. Write. Receive

Holy Spirit, what can I do to remind myself that I carry the greatest gift of all, Jesus, inside me today?

"My child, talk to me constantly. Stop acting as if we live in separate places, and I have to travel far to be with you. We are one because I dwell within you through baptism. I am not a distant relative. I am with you. When Jesus spoke to the wind, he knew what authority he had come in. He was not threatened by the things of this world because he stayed in the covering of the Father's will. Stay there more than you have in the past, and you will find it easier than you think to step out in faith once you have instructions. Don't try to graduate without taking courses. Don't try to master what you can't see ahead. Seek the one that knows, and he will never steer you wrong."

Step 7: Pray. Confirm

This seems to be the theme over the past few days. I feel Holy Spirit saying - Good job, so far, committing to your writing, and spending time with me. You're getting closer, but now, I am daring you to come even closer and not move outside my presence until you pray and receive instruction.

Again, I will confess that a bit of defiance strikes as I write this, thinking - Oh yeah, Holy Spirit. Well, I hope you show up fast because the world is not waiting for me. And in that thought or reaction, I see how much this is needed. Ugh!

I must admit this sounds hard, but if I start with a simple glance towards him, which can change the course of everything to stay in my Father's will, it is worth trying, and I will give it a shot.

If I can't do it on my own, let me ask in Jesus Name and also tell my two witnesses of my struggle and remind them to continue to pray for confirmation on this word to kill my defiant nature causing me to look at worldly things instead of my creator first, to advise me how to take back dominion over the things he has placed in my path. The keywords there are "HE HAS PLACED" instead of me picking up things and placing them in my path.

If you used the scripture of the day and need prayer or someone to pray with you, connect Here. Remember, you are not alone!

Step 8: Share. Testify

Well, friends, today is cozy and quiet, and to be honest, I am thankful for the miracle of simply sticking to my 30-day writing streak. That alone deserves a celebration! Praise Jesus! It is the little things, right?

If you workshopped any of the verses mentioned above using the 8-Step Prayer Practice, we would love to hear from you in the comments below about what the Holy Spirit showed or spoke to you today.

Don't forget to Spread Hope and share HERE if you have a miracle or testimony. We want to see how God is working in your life!

Conclusion:

Let's kill the Spirit of Defiance through the understanding that he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!

Let's lean in a little closer to the Holy Spirit and take a beat before moving, ensuring we don't have any false idols creeping in.

Let's trust God says who he says he is so we can lean back and know he will always catch us no matter how hard we fall.

Until tomorrow! Be blessed!