Learning to Live By the Spirit

I want a Pinterest life. A life full of flowers, sunshine, smiles, and a perfectly highlighted/note filled Bible. But the reality is, my life doesn’t look like that…at least not yet.

Lately each day often ends in tears. Or at least close to tears. I fight insecurities, fears, and doubts about who God has made me. I question why I struggle in different areas, and why I can’t be more like people I know in other areas. I’m discontent. And it is extremely un-enjoyable.

The other day I was thinking, and I was frustrated that my life didn’t look different. I was angry that I had let and was letting fear rule my life. And because of that, I was missing out on so many opportunities to grow and also just to experience a more full life.

  I get distracted, in particular, by my phone. I’m working on it, so don’t judge me people. 😉 I let fear keep me from going places, investing in friendships, going to the grocery store sometimes even! I let the Enemy, quietly and other times not-so-quietly, tell me lies that make me twist my view of who God made me in Christ. But I’m painfully realizing that what I’ve been filling my mind and heart with, isn’t helping lead to the life that I want to create.

Oftentimes, for me at least, I use entertainment to keep me from reality, which keeps me from making a difference in the world. And always watching someone else’s life, whether it be in a show, movie, social media, etc. can so easily lead to comparison, envy, and discontentment. This is what I’ve been realizing in my own life this week. 

But I’ve found hope, in Galatians 5:16, which says, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

This means there is a way to not live in the flesh. Yes, it’s going to be a lifelong battle of learning how to not live for ourselves and our own pleasures. But as we learn to surrender to the Spirit and His leading, the things of earth will grow strangely dim. The things that don’t build the kingdom of God will start to lose such a strong hold on our hearts.

Four Ways to Start Learning to Live By The Spirit:

1.      Study the Bible - Learn how God wants us to live. Learn God’s heart for His children, which includes YOU, if you have a relationship with Him!

2.      Be in prayer. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, "pray without ceasing". And I don’t think this means we have to constantly be talking to God. Imagine it more like calling Him in the morning, not hanging up until we’re going to sleep at night, and sharing what’s going on in our lives, thanking Him for things He is doing, and just resting in Him and waiting for Him to speak to us in between.

3.      Worship. There’s just something special about lifting our voices, individually, or together to the Lord in praise. Most importantly, it brings Him glory and honor. But it also can remind us of who God has been to us, how He has provided, how He has been faithful. It can move our hearts into a grateful posture, which brings a “side effect” of peace and trust.

4.      Serving others. It’s difficult, I know. But when our hearts are in the right place, when we’ve truly realized what Jesus has done for us and how much He loves us, we will want to show and share that love to others.

   These things aren’t going to come naturally…or easily for that matter. But that’s the beauty of grace. That’s why taking one step at a time is so powerful. Sometimes we’re going to take one step forward and three steps back. But let’s not forget, God is right here with us. His Spirit lives inside you and me!

Psalm 118:14 talks about the Lord being our strength. So, when things seem impossible, if we keep our eyes on Jesus, He will help us get through, even if the outcome isn’t what we imagined it to be.

   What is God teaching you this week?