Resist with Full Armor?

People often say, “God won’t give you more than you can handle”. When I was going through a difficult time in my life, I would almost brag about that quote. I would say, “Boy, God must think I am really strong, because He keeps dumping more and more on me!” I did that for a few years.

Then, one weekend, I attended a Christian conference. The speaker explained that in her research, when Scripture says that God resists the proud, it means He resists as with full armor. He gives grace to the humble hearted. I thought to myself, I want to draw closer to God, I certainly don’t want Him to resist me with full armor! I want to be humble hearted, not proud.

Soon after the conference, I realized that it wasn’t that God thought I was so strong, it was that He knew I was too proud. Scriptures describe God's attitude toward the proud. James 4:6, "But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, "God opposes the proud and but shows favor to the humble." (NIV) And 1 Peter 5:6 "Humble yourselves therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time." (NIV)

I love the way God plants the seeds (like me going to the conference and hearing about God resisting the proud) and then the Holy Spirit makes it real to you. What Jesus said is true. Paraphrased: I will go away and ask my Father to send the Holy Spirit to be with you, to lead you in all the truth, to be your counselor and your guide. Your comforter, your teacher. He will empower you to live the Christian life, a life of love. Follow Me.

Completer or Compete-or?

In relationship between husbands and wives, each one should be a completer, not compete-or.

In our marriage, John encouraged me to fulfill my potential in all areas of my life. He admired my strengths and always encouraged me. Through his example, I came to realize how beautiful a relationship can be when God is in the center of it, and when each person can admire the strengths of the other.

I so much appreciated John’s wisdom – it came from the Lord. I would often joke that I had all the credentials and John had all the wisdom. I appreciated his ability to love like God loves, his gentleness, his sense of humor, and his ability to speak with everyone he met in loving kindness.

When God put us together, we were both more mature and both had God at the center of our lives. Each of us had different strengths. Where John was strong, I was weak, where I was strong, John was weak, but together we were an unstoppable couple for God. With God’s help, we were completers and not competitors. Nothing better!

Food for thought: In your relationships do you look for, appreciate and encourage the strengths in others, even when, or especially when they are not your strengths? Are you open to allowing others to help you in your weak areas?

Corrie Ten Bloom Quote

"The greatest place to bring the gospel is to your own family. But until the family sees what you are talking about, they will never hear your words.

I am my neighbor's Bible

He reads me when we meet,

Today he reads me in the house,

Tomorrow in the street.

He may be relative or friend,

Or slight acquaintance be.

He may not even know my name,

Yet he is reading me.

...and you shall be a witness unto Me...Acts 1:8 KJV

Lord, make me a testimony to my family and my neighbors. Take my life as Your channel. Help me to live a life that glorifies You in everything." October 4th devotional.