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I had a childhood friend who, when asked, ‘How are you? Had a standard response. It was always “same old, same old”. In fact, when I saw him decades later, his response was still, “Same old, same old.”
I thought, “Bud, we’re not”, “Same old, same old”. The proof? Our hair has receded and our waistline has widened. The change had definitely happened.
The point is, the only constant thing in life is change.
The seasons change; relationships change; feelings and circumstances change. And sometimes these changes around us affect the dreams within us.
It happened to David in the Scriptures. God promised that he would be king of Israel. But after years of difficult circumstances, difficult battles, and even personal failures, the promise seemed bleak.
David began to lose hope in God’s plan. Are you already going there? From there he said to himself, “One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul (his enemy). The best thing I can do is flee to the land of the Philistines â€(1 Sam 27: 1).
To understand his despair, one must know that “the land of the Philistines” was where David had previously defeated his greatest enemy. Instead of being a reminder of God’s goodness, it became an opportunity to give up. Discouragement drove him to dwell among the people he had already defeated.
Fortunately, David regained hope in God and persevered until God’s promise was fulfilled. He eventually became Israel’s most beloved king. What can we learn from David’s journey?
Value God’s responses
“How precious my thoughts are to me, my God! How vast is their sum! (Psalm 139: 17).
God has important thoughts on our life. These are thoughts that will make our marriages and our homes, our careers and our future run smoothly. Yet sometimes we are too busy or think we are too broken to receive what God has to give. We may even believe that we know our life better than God. David resisted these same temptations. He recognized his need to humble himself before a Father who had precious answers for his life. And when we do the same, we see how much his words enrich our lives in all areas.
Align with God’s Answers
“See if there is an offending way in me, and lead me to the eternal way†(Psalm 139: 24).
David bore the pain of what was done against him. He also faced the guilt of his own personal failures. Before God could change his outcome, he had to change his perspective. He had to realign it inside.
It is the same for us. Once we have God’s answer for our struggle, we must align our attitudes and actions with that answer.
How do we do that? By spending time with God, talking to him and letting his word speak to us. There is also help to connect with successful people where we struggle. We learn from others. We won’t be perfect, but being consistent with the right people and the right principles will lead to a Godly change of life.
Do not let doubt, discouragement, or distractions distract us from the best of God. Let’s find the answers He has that bring about the abundant life He has promised for each of us.
Jim Graff is the senior pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria. Visit myffc.com.
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