As I pointed out earlier in this series, despite my having accepted Christ as my Savior at such a young age; I spent most of my life not understanding the truth concerning the treasures which God had immediately deposited into my account at the moment of my salvation. I spent most of my life waffling between what I thought to be personal victories to being weighed down by the guilt of my own failures to being “righteous” as I had been taught. I could not trust my heart to make the right decisions for Christ. Then when all the trials came—abuse, pain, illness; they would naturally seem to be punishment for my failures. I would just have to try harder, search further, pray more; and maybe—just maybe then I could get it right. Still, down deep within the center of my heart; I knew better. I remembered that feeling of security and love that I felt in Christ; way back at the beginning. Besides the more I studied scripture, the more I began to understand that none of my position in Christ had anything to do with my getting it right of my own volition. The more I learned of His unconditional love, grace and mercy—the more I loved Him and the more I loved Him the more time I spent in just thanking Him for every moment of my life. I began to see that even the trials, the sorrows and my own failures had been allowed by a Sovereign God who knew every intricate detail of my being
He knew my every fear, my desires, my dreams and my brokenness; yet, He chose and loved me right there. He loved me so much that He wouldn’t even allow me to be stuck in this forever roller coaster of highs and lows. Instead, He guided every step in such a manner as to lead me to a place where I could begin to understand the truth of all that I am in Christ.
He has given me peace, joy, hope and love overflowing. He has taught me how to trust my heart whenever making decisions in life; then, having done so—never to feel that horrid sense of being a “failure” or overwhelmed with guilt and worry that I may have made the wrong decision. Let me share with you these 5 keys to trusting your heart so that you see how freeing it is to live a life in Christ.
1. Love the Lord your God with All your heart
2. Love your neighbor as yourself (meaning you also have to love yourself)
3. Know that the Holy Spirit who is the essence of God’s love, Glory and Righteousness is indwelling your heart to guide you
4. Because of #3, you are drawn to further love the Lord with all your heart, love yourself as a result of God’s love for you and grow in your love of others (never wanting to cause harm)
5. This leads you to developing a tender heart toward God, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide your heart.
Because of all of this, then when you are faced with any decision that you must make in life; you can trust your heart. I do recommend that you wait, prayerfully and not rush in; but do trust the indwelling spirit. If in doing so, you later wonder if you messed up again; don’t go there. Don’t go to that place of beating yourself up, doubting your decisions, and running away from God in shame. Instead, continue in prayer and listen for the Holy Spirit to guide you. Understand this, “all things work together for good to those who love God”. If I later find that what I did or said inadvertently hurt someone else; then, instead of becoming paralyzed with guilt and shame, I ask for God’s forgiveness and guidance first, then I ask for the person’s forgiveness. I leave it there at the foot of the cross and I continue to pray for God’s Sovereign Hand to bring them blessings beyond measure as a result. Let your love of God, guide you. Let the strength of who you are in Christ, lead you.
All I am saying here is that don’t let fear of failure or guilt from your past chain you so that you cannot live in the liberty that you have been given. Listen to the Holy Spirit guiding you and if there is any appearance of a momentary defeat; remember, the victory for your life was already won in Christ. You are the redeemed, beloved, chosen, child of God—if you know Him as your Savior. So trust the indwelling Holy Spirit. Begin each day with prayer and study from God’s word; then trust your heart, knowing He is guiding it. His plan in your life, established in eternity past, is first that His Glory might be displayed and for your joy to be complete in that Glory.
Ephesians 3: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Listen to this song “Peace”
©2014 Effie Darlene Barba
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.