New Year, new me. Right? How many times have we promised ourselves major changes? Changes we hoped would affect the trajectory of our future, only to lose momentum before the month was even up? This year, I promise to change my mindset about a lot of things, especially my faith.
Have you ever been scared to ask God for the things you really wanted? I fought against asking God for things I wanted for two main reasons. First, due to my lack of faith and second, because I did not realize the true power of God. With my first issue (lack of faith), I limited God based on what I felt the outcome would be, depending on the circumstance. I’m a mother, so I often compared my experiences with my children to my relationship with God. For example, when we are out as a family, my children will take a chance and ask for things. Toys, candy whatever catches their eyes. They don’t know what the answer will be. However, they have enough faith to ask for what they want. They don’t consider the circumstances that may affect the answer, they just ask. It doesn’t mean I give in to their request every time, but if it’s part of my plan, or aligns with something I want to do for them, I grant their request. Other times, I allow them to have the things they ask for as a special treat. The difference between myself and my children was my lack of faith. Unlike my children, my circumstances limited my vision. I didn’t exercise my faith at all. I didn’t trust God’s plan or his ability. I only trusted myself. I was afraid if I asked and didn’t receive, I would feel let down, discouraged. So I limited my request to what I thought God could do given the situation. I didn’t want to ask God for something too hard. Can you imagine? Something too hard for God?! Ha! I found that those types of feelings surfaced when I was more focused on my agenda than God’s. That brings me to my second point. Why in the world was I putting a limit on a limitless God? Lack of faith, and thinking I have so much control were the main culprits. This year, I’m trying something different. I’m walking by faith and not by sight. I will no longer limit myself or my God. These changes begin by increasing my trust and faith in God.
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11 (NIV)