March 10
JAMES 4:7-10
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
I must confess: the word submit evokes a feeling like fingernails being dragged methodically across the world's largest chalkboard. Just the thought of submitting generates a sense of unease and nausea that I can't shake off. I realize that part of my issue, or perhaps the entire issue, stems from the fact that submitting directly contradicts my personality.
If you are familiar with the Enneagram, I identify as an Enneagram 8. One of the core fears for type 8s is the fear of being controlled by others, and submitting implies that someone else is in control. This is indeed a significant challenge for me. I am fully aware of this reality, and I have spent a considerable amount of time discussing it with God. (God consistently reminds me that this is entirely my issue.) What I know is that the only way to resist the devil is by submitting to God's leading, guidance, and power. Moreover, the only path to growing closer to God is through total submission to Him.
Today, say this out loud: "God, I submit to you with 100% of me." Then, allow God's presence to envelop you, trusting that He has you completely.
(What is God telling you to do? Write it down!)
- PRAY -
Pause and pray. Pray over the Scripture and listen to what God is saying to you. Celebrate God's presence and hand your requests over to Him.
