For a period of time in my life, I rebuked whatever I didn’t want because I thought it must be from the devil. I say that until my “rebuker” was just totally worn out. But then I discovered that lot of what I was trying to rebuke was from God. Many of the things I did not like or want were things God had allowed for my growth and development. The writer of Hebrews said that we must submit to the discipline of God. He chastises us only because He loves us. Don’t try to resist what God intends to use for your good. Ask the Lord to do a deep and thorough work in you so you can be all He wants you to be, do all He wants you to do, and have all that He wants you to have. During my years of resisting anything that was painful or difficult, the simple truth is that I did not grow spiritually. I kept going around and around the same old mountains (problems). Finally, I realized that I was trying to avoid pain, but I had pain anyway. The pain of staying the way we are is much worse than the pain of changing.

Our personality is our soul (mind, will, and emotions), but often it has been wounded by our experiences in the world. God promises to restore our souls if we will cooperate with the work of the Holy Spirit in us. I had a broken soul, one that had no peace or joy, but God has made me whole and He wants to do the same for you.

Prayer of the Day: Father, I thank You that I never have to live stuck in a place where my soul has been wounded by my experiences. You are a Redeemer and a Restorer, and You want to bring healing in my life. Thank You that my past is over, and I have a beautiful future to look forward to, amen.