“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” James 4:3
Today’s Christian daily devotional
“Ugh!” In complete disgust, I toss down another pair of my favorite jeans; William Rast is no longer a friend of mine.
My adorable fall wardrobe just doesn’t seem quite as adorable as I remember.
Summer has quickly come and gone. I’m in the midst of packing up my light clothes and making room for my cozy fall wear. As pack away my unworn bikinis, I start to wonder if I should also just pack up the hope of ever wearing them again.
“When am I ever going to reach my goals?” I cry out in frustration, my white-knuckled fists clutching my bright pink swimsuit.
I feel a stir in my heart, as if God is answering me: “Can I trust you with your goals?”
“Trust me?” I quip to myself, my mind reeling defensively.
Balling up my bikinis, I angrily toss them into their new home: a plastic storage bin. They’re so tiny that despite the sheer number of them, their volume requires such little space. Before our final farewell, I pull out one of my favorite sets.
“How many heads did I turn with this little number?” I mumble to myself. Holding the shiny flesh-colored bikini up towards the light. Wearing this gorgeous thing always made me feel like such a knockout.
“Can I trust you with your goals?” The same question haunts my mind again. But, this time it hits me—smack dab in the middle of my heart.
I ruminate about how these pesky four pounds have suddenly induced a compulsion towards dressing myself a bit more modesty. I start to wonder: What if I never would gained this weight? Would I be so quick to cover myself up then?
For years I catered to the approval of longing looks and compliments. This false security was like cotton candy for my ego, it looked good and felt good for a mere second; but it brought no lasting sustenance. I was always hungry for more.
When I came to know the Lord, I found my value in deeper things. For the first time, I began to see myself as someone God felt was worthy of sending His own Son to die for. Salvation was just the beginning of a whole new way of thinking for me. Since Jesus came into my heart, I have been growing into my greater purpose.
I don’t believe God wants to stop me from fitting into my favorite outfits. But, I am pretty sure that He has aspirations for me that go way deeper than fashion. Maybe reaching my fitness goals has nothing to do with my lack of prayer, dedication or metabolism. It just might have everything to do with my intent.
My insides clench as I dare to ask myself another probing question: Do I want to fit into my perfect jeans so that I can be the object of other’s lust and envy? Or do I truly want to be healthy like I keep telling everyone, including myself?
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I am beyond frustrated. I feel like I am at the end of my hope! I feel like I keep bringing the same prayer requests to you, to no avail!
Show me the true intentions behind my requests. Reveal the truth about me, to me. Help me to see if I am the one who is getting in the way of receiving my own blessings.
Lord, you look at my heart, not at my words. I am through fooling myself. Today is the day for my salvation. Deliver me from myself, Amen.”
Thank you for reading today’s Christian daily devotional on verses: James 4:3
Please check back and see what we have for you tomorrow!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan