4 Signs Your Taking God for Granted

It is so easy for us to take God for granted because sometimes we forget that everything we have came from him. He created everything for a specific purpose and season. God blesses us with so many things daily, that we just sometimes over look what he has done and is continuing to do. Because of who God is and what he is doing it is never a good idea to take anything he does for granted. But in order for us to appreciate God in every way we must first realize when we are taking him for granted.

1. You are no longer giving God thanks.

God is a provider and gives us the things we need for survival. Whether or not we are trusting and being faithful to him he will continue to provide because that is his nature. Because he is always giving us what we need we have come to the point where we expect to receive things. We don't give God thanks because we expect him to give us food, clothing, a place to live, and a job to buy nice things. When we start to feel entitled to what God has we start to live beyond the means of the limitations God has placed over our individual lives. Giving God thanks for all we have humbles us because we acknowledge that we would be in a far worst place if it were not for God's hand in our lives.

2. Your not taking the time to be alone with God.

When you love someone you take the time to show them that love. You buy them things. You change they way you are around them. You do every thing possible to be around that person. But as time goes on if you are not continuing to renew the love you had for that person you may start to distance yourself from them. It's the same way with God. When we first because Christians and encounter God's love it was the most amazing thing ever and we did everything to be in his presence again. But as life continued, hardships became more difficult, and life became busier we start to push God further and further down our daily to do list. The time we spend with him became less to almost non existent. A simple verse on a phone app is what has become sufficient in our minds, but God requires more. Using your phone app in between daily assignments is pleasing to God, but when that becomes your only source it then becomes for of an annoyance. God wants us to center our day around him and not him around our day.

3. You are not giving or sharing what God has given you with others.

Being selfish is a definite sign that you are taking God for granted. God blesses you so then hence you bless other people. You are to use everything God as entrusted you with as a way to bring others into the family of Christ. It is God's nature to give and because we are supposed to be Christ like it should also be in our nature to give. When we are hording the gifts and treasures God has given us then we either do not know who God is or just don't care to do what he asks of us.

4. You have become too familiar with God and no longer find him amazing.

When you are in the Christian faith for a while you can start to think God is boring. There are times when God will not cause the oceans to move because his purpose is not to be entertainment to us. God is always doing little things showing us that he is around and for that we should find him amazing. We should see his beauty and wonder in the diversity of the way birds chirp. Each species has a different sound and for different purposes. We should notice his divine intervention in what were once medical mysteries. He has given some of his knowledge to scientists and doctors over centuries to cure what used to be incurable diseases. The fact that we can see in color should stir something in you. The stimulation you get when you see so many different colors in nature working together to create a beautiful scene. If the everyday things around you don't make see how amazing God is, then pick up a bible (or bible app) and read it. God has documented some of his most miraculous wonders in one place for us.

Where are you directing your frustrations?

For some there comes a point in life where you are just tired with the monotony of certain activities and waking up every day knowing you have to do a particular task. It seems to be a battle to get yourself out of bed and sometimes even out of the house. Well that particular activity for me is my current full time job.

 

Looking back from my undergraduate graduation to now, I feel like I have accomplished absolutely nothing with my life but paying bills and making/revising numerous budgets. This past year has been very interesting to say the least. Spontaneously word vomiting all the emotions I held in for years just to have the other person see me as a disrespectful child and then in turn rebelling against every single person who "caused" me to feel the way I do. Having a relationship be completely severed over an orange -- I know that sounds utterly ridiculous, but was bound to happen after months full of disrespect, disregard, and deception. There were family issues on both sides. Financial issues. Issues with trying to get into a graduate program... This past year was just drama filled.

 

The build up of all these things, one issue after the next, just brought me to the point where I was just overwhelmed. I just wanted to be angry and upset because every time I thought things were getting better something would happen to over shadow that progress. One thing that was constant throughout this past year was my job. It was so easy to transfer the frustration I felt with the way my life was going to my current job situation because everyone who knows the details of my job expected me to be miserable. And as time went on and  I was reaching my one year mark, my attitude about my job slowly changed. I allowed my frustration with life to make me miserable at work.

 

This job was literally holding things together and I slowly started to hate it. Guys really think about where you are directing your frustrations. Besides God, are these the people and relationships that are holding you together. Is your frustration being intertwined with the stress of schoolwork or a job? How about with the stress or disappointments that are associated with being in a family unit? It is so easy to misdirect negative feelings towards people and things, especially when there is a root of bitterness.

 

My bitter root stemmed from feeling stuck at my job because it was so "safe." As long as I followed the rules I still had a job -- which I guess is the theory behind most companies unless there is an unforeseen financial hit. But being safe made me feel comfortable. I got too comfortable living a life where I was no longer being mentally challenged. I got comfortable working a job that I knew wasn't benefiting me professionally, especially as a college graduate. All these thoughts floated around my head for weeks causing me to dislike my job more and more everyday.

 

During this time period God was convicting my heart because I started to loathe the gift he gave. I started to be angry with the prayer he answered. I was taking his love and providing nature for granted. I knew the way I was feeling about work wasn't how God wanted me to feel because it was no longer bringing glory to him. I was no longer thanking him for providing a job I desperately need, but was thanking him the moment 9 o'clock hit so I could leave as soon as I possibly could just to do nothing at home. I was able to see that I was no longer pushing myself to be the best employee I could possibly be. At that point I realized I was no longer the hard working daughter God created me to be and I had to change that.

 

This Weeks Challenge: Identify where and how you are directing your frustrations. Is it in a way that if others where looking into your life they would be able to see God? If not, then how can that change? Google additional scriptures to help you change your attitude and maintain a positive outlook about where you are currently placed. Allow this week to be the starting point of misdirecting love to people and situations that don't deserve it, because in all reality you too are not deserving of love but Christ still gives it to you freely.

Sunset Above Haiti

Hello Children of a BEAUTIFUL God

Last time I wrote, I told you that my grandmother died. I went to Haiti for the funeral and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. I'm so happy God heard me and gave me the strength to get through the weekend. The night I left Haiti I was able to watch the sunset through the airplane window. It was so beautiful!

When you least expect it, God shows you a glimpse of who He is. His Majesty. His Glory. His Beauty. My mind will never fully comprehend how great He truly is until the day comes when this Earth is no more and I am in His presence along with my Grandmother and the rest of my family. Oh, what a WONDERFUL day that will be!! ♥

-:- PeaceLoveHarmony -:-

Comfort in Death

Hello Wonderful Children of the Most High God.

This isn't the best time for my family because on Friday my Grandmother died. Even though I didn't grow up with her I still love her. She worked so hard in order to send my mother and I to the United States and my Aunt to Guadeloupe. It really sucks that I never really got to know her but I'm happy that I did get to meet her. My tears have been an on-and-off thing and were the worst Sunday morning during Praise and Worship. They were singing I Will Run and the moment they started signing the line "Come, Come, I hear you calling come" I was gone. Tears rushing down my face because God called my Grandmother to leave us and go to him.

I haven't cried since but I know I will be this weekend. Her funeral will be on Saturday, so my mother and I will be traveling to Haiti to get everything situated. I'm not sure how I'm going to handle this weekend but I know that I will get through it.

This is just so surreal. It feels like she's still alive but reality will hit like a ton of bricks once the wailing starts and I actually see her. The cry's of grief from Haitians are so passionate that they WILL evoke emotion within you, and I don't know if I'll really be ready for that.

This is a bit different but I wanted to share some of my life with you all and what has been encouraging me all weekend. Gods just been telling me that he's my rock. First in Deuteronomy 32, then in a comment made during church, and again in my devotional Monday. So as encouragement I want to share with you something I posted on facebook yesterday.

The quote comes from Sheri Rose Shepherd's book His Princess- Love Letters from Your King. The title is "My Princess... Don't Ever Compromise" on page 66.

-:- PeaceLoveHarmony -:-

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"Hold on to Me and My power within you, and I promise that you will make it through. When the wicked winds try to blow out the flame of your faith or try to cause you to compromise, stand on My truth...I am your solid Rock, and you can conquer anything in My strength."  

Seems like my theme at the moment is "Lord as Rock." Yeah this moment in time sucks, but I'll get through. When tears want to fall, my Rock will keep me standing. He gave life and when his perfect will is done He will take life. Every step we take and every move we make God knew long before we were ever put into the womb. He knew every single moment leading do our deaths and everyone we would impact. Through hardships and tears HE IS WORTHY of all the praise we can pour out of ourselves. (I feel like I could go on but this status is long enough. I do hope this encourages someone else who is also going through the death of a loved one.)