To Be at Peace with God is to Know True Happiness

Brothers and Sisters Who Are Loved By God,

In  Rick Warren's "Transformed", there are 7 "temperature checks" to look at our overall health: Spiritual, Physical, Mental, Emotional, Relational, Financial and Vocational.

Before I started this study, I read the chapter titles and even before I'd done my first day of reflection, I knew what topics I would enjoy and what topics I was dreading (you may have found yourself going through the same assessment as you read the list). For me, the topics I looked forward to the least were Health and Finances. These are areas I struggle with rebellion and because of that, I am not at peace with God the way I could be.

You can't do a study like Transformed without a spotlight shining on your  personal battle grounds. It would be easy to be discouraged by it but God is reminding me of this promise:
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

To be at peace with God requires getting into these habits during our moments of temptation: looking for   the escape, recognizing what is from God and TAKING the lifeline.

Habits like this take practice. It's an acknowledgement that we have these internal wars and deliberately putting on our armor (Ephesians 6:10-18) to do battle. The blessing in shining a light where our weakness lies is KNOWING where our weakness lies.  The Creator of heaven and earth IS OUR STRENGTH. Jesus IS OUR COMPANION. The Holy Spirit LIVES IN US. We are EQUIPPED.

Now it's time to go to work.