When I was younger and healthier I was more confident in myself and what I could accomplish all on my own. After journeying through the valley, through years of sickness, debilitating pain, and the mental and emotional trauma that goes with it, I have leaned that I do nothing by myself. I am never alone. I never have to rely on my own power, abilities, or strength; I never have. God is my sufficiency in all things.
He gives me supernatural strength to do what I cannot do on my own. His promises are true. He is not a man that he can lie. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
There were times when I was younger and healthier that I took credit for the things that I did. I took all the glory for the things that I accomplished, never realizing that God is my everything and everyone to me. I loved him. I believed in him. I turned to him when I needed someone to be there for me. But I never fully realized just how vulnerable, limited, and small fries I was until he showed me that he will supernaturally give me physical strength, strengthen me mentally and emotionally, and give me joy and peace that is beyond all human understanding.
I fell into the trap of being prideful. I would say, "look what I did, look what I accomplished, look at how I did this", not realizing it came from the Lord. In Colossians 3:23-24 we read, 'Whatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah).
God not only gives us what we need to do what we do, but he rewards us for doing it. I used to look for my reward from people. I wanted to be recognized for what I had done. I wanted to be praised, to be given credit where credit is due not realizing that I could not do it without the LORD. He is our sufficiency in all things. He endows us with knowledge, talent, gifts of the Spirit, guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit, wisdom, life, and the air that is in our lungs. How could I have thought that I did anything on my own or deserved the credit?
Credit goes to the LORD. He and he alone deserves to be glorified, honored, and praised. He deserves to be lifted up, blessed, and recognized for all he does. We should be humbled and in awe of what he does and accomplishes through us. I know I am.
Lisa C
