One question that unveils if someone is not resting in God's Sovereignty

Are you angry?

I read an article on another blog this morning that had this to say about the connection between anger and God's goodness and providence:

When I grow angry I find myself losing belief. I lose faith in God's goodness amid my circumstances. I lose belief in his promises, that "he works all things together for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose" (Rom 8:28).

This unbelief arises from sinful discontent with God's wise providence, a failure to trust in His perfect will to do me good, whether through bad weather or good, emotional intimacy or none, apology or no apology. From emotional outbursts to weather complaints, anger arises from a failure to believe the truth, and belief that God owes me something: better weather or better marital intimacy or whatever.

Belief in this false promise is unbelief in God's promises.

Read the entire article here.

Admitting Limits

I took the following notes from an excellent audio series from Paul Tripp (my project has been to let the truths I know in my head sink deep into my heart):

Two Greatest Lies:

1. Personal Autonomy
2. Self-sufficiency

I am a living human being created to be dependent on my creator, the living God.

I am limited by:

1. Space and time
2. Knowlege and wisdom
3. Power and control
4. Sin and weakness
5. Ability and gift

The real life of faith is not just about trusting God but it is also about humbling admitting your limits.

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)

There is no reason to be afraid of weaknesses and limits but what should be feared is delusions of strength. What if life takes you beyond your strength? Paul is so confident in God's grace that he can rejoice in his weaknesses because it is in those moments of personal weakness that he actually experiences the depths of God's power and his faithfulness.

I am letting these truths get buried deep into my heart today. I want to celebrate God's grace today while being constantly dependent on God - doing what he has called me to do. It's not one of my strengths :-)

Not Trying To Figure It All Out

The following quote is very helpful for me as one who analyzes everything to death and yet wants to do so much:

"A Christian's inner peace is never based on his ability to take the teachings of Scripture and figure it all out. Our peace always rests on the presence, power, and character of the Lord. Because he rules heaven and earth according to his wise plan, I need not live in anxiety and fear. God's absolute sovereignty guarantees the fulfillment of each of his promises to every one of his children"
Paul David Tripp, Instruments in the Redeemer's Hands, p 30

Two words really pop out at me from this quote: rests and plan. When I ask myself, "What is going on? What is God doing?" In every circumstance, the answer is always "Working his plan." I can always check the strength of my belief in God's ultimate rule based on the sense of rest I get from that answer.