Attitude Adjustment

Proverbs 19:23   (NIV) - The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

• Proverbs 28:26  (NIV) - He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

• 1 Timothy 4:8 (NLV) Growing strong in body is all right but growing in God living is more important. It will not only help you in this life now but in the next life also.

• Luke 10:25-27 (NLT) 25One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?" 26Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" 27The man answered, " `You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, `Love your neighbor as yourself.' " 28"Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!"

There is a time in every person’s life when we face a choice:  God-confidence vs. self-confidence. The former is tough for some, for it’s driven by faith; the latter, is much easier since it’s more easily apprehended – it’s by sight – what we can see, touch, smell and hear.

There is a false security that comes to people who dream of escape from common ills - we see the rise of the lottery, reality shows that reward strange behaviors with money, fame and a false sense of security. Our culture is focused on what an individual can do. People are trying to convince us that government can operate without acknowledging our dependence on God. All around us individualism, intelligence and independence are praised. The impudence of the "blue state mentality" is defined by "trusting in themselves" without a care about what God thinks, by ignoring what scripture says and by not making God their stronghold rather trusting in their great wealth. These people seem to be growing strong in the eyes of the world but their end is death.  

For the believer, this verse promises safety, satisfaction and serenity.

Safety does not mean that life won't happen to a Believer: what it does mean is that despite disease, distress and despair, the believer is ultimately safe. It's that deep-seated belief in safety that drove those who are subjects in Fox's Book of Martyrs. These people could live lives of trust because they knew they were safe. They learned to set their focus on loving God, not on the destruction of their life and for many, their bodies. They knew that God was at work and trusted Him with the outcome.

Each testified to a satisfying life as do many today in desperate circumstances. Many a missionary, living in fear of their lives, talk about a satisfying life - not a dangerous life. How? They have learned to "fear God." This "fear of the LORD" is deep stuff - think of Peter in Mat 26:33 who said, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will." And then fell. Here was a man who walked with Christ, yet had not completely caught hold of the calmness that only comes from Christ. Fearing God is not a trivial thing, or easily grasped and held on to. It is the opposite of self-reliance and yet, paradoxically, the more we rely on Him, the more confident we appear to others. Why? Because those who do really rely on God, "rest content."

The Psalmist, who had a life of misery, majesty and mystery, remained serene despite many desperate circumstances and encourages us (105:4) to "look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always..." as a way of being. So what does the Lord what us to do?  Talk to Him as if He were standing beside us. Consider what He wants in any situation. Continually ask Him to direct and lead. Pray without ceasing.

"Untouched by trouble" is not about circumstances, but about our attitude born of faith about what’s happening - "without faith, it is impossible to please God."

Got faith? You got attitude.

Copyright (c) 2006 by P. Griffith Lindell