God’s Desires > Our Desires

AlexB23 said:

Whew, it has been a while since using Sirach (Catholic Bible book) in a devotional, but here we are guys. Today's devotional focuses on how we must put God's desires and plans above our own.

Date​	July 3, 2024 | God’s Desires > Our Desires​
Verse​	Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." James 1:13-15 (NIV): "When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." Psalm 119:105-106 (NIV): "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws." Sirach 2:4-7 (NRSV-CE): "Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation. Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him."​
Explanation​	These four passages from the Bible all emphasize the importance of trusting in God and following His ways instead of relying on our own understanding or desires. Here's a brief explanation of each passage: Proverbs 3:5-6: This passage encourages us to trust fully in the Lord and not rely on our own wisdom or understanding. It also urges us to submit our ways to God, who will make our paths straight. This means that when we choose to follow God's will, we can trust that He will guide us and lead us in the right direction. James 1:13-15: This passage warns us against blaming God for our temptations or sin. Instead, it teaches us that we are the ones who are tempted by our own desires and that sin ultimately leads to death. Therefore, it's essential to resist our evil desires and turn to God when we're tempted. Psalm 119:105-106: This passage underscores the significance of God's word (the Holy Bible) as a guide for our lives. By following God's righteous laws, we can find clarity and direction for our paths. It also highlights the importance of making a commitment to God and keeping our promises to Him. Sirach 2:4-7: This passage encourages us to accept the challenges and humiliations that come our way with patience and trust in God. It also emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and making our ways straight. By doing so, we can be refined as a metal in a kiln and eventually come out stronger and more faithful to God.​
Societal Relevance​	In terms of how these passages relate to following God's desires over our own or temptations, the verses all emphasize the importance of trusting in God and submitting to His will rather than being led astray by our desires or temptations. Here are some practical examples of how we can avoid giving in to our own wants in the modern world as Christians:​ Pray regularly and seek God's guidance in all aspects of your life. Surround yourself with supportive and godly friends who will help keep you accountable. Avoid situations or environments that may tempt you to sin. Practice self-control and discipline, especially in areas where you're prone to give in to your desires. Study God's word regularly to deepen your relationship with Him and learn more about His will for your life. To know if we're following God's plan, we can look for evidence of peace, joy, and fruitfulness in our lives. If we're truly seeking to follow God's will, we can trust that He will provide us with the strength and guidance we need to overcome challenges and resist temptations. We can also look for confirmation through prayer, Scripture, and the wisdom of trusted spiritual advisors. Ultimately, we can trust that God's plan for our lives is good and that following Him will lead to greater fulfillment and joy than anything this world can offer. For myself, sometimes it is easy to fall into the trap of my own desires, without putting others first. Sometimes, for myself, it can be difficult for me to follow others’ instructions. Thankfully, by the grace of God, it is getting easier for me to listen to others, and take advice. In early May, as my job at the biotech facility has been going well, I asked my former job coach, Jaymasen, about how to socialize at a bar for a near future Catholic young adults event at the local bar on May 6, 2024. He gave me great analogy, as in treating social gatherings similar to a ballroom dance and keep to the same tempo as everyone else by keeping with the conversation. For myself, sometimes I treat conversations like a disco rave party, while everyone else is doing a slow dance, by going down rabbit holes, talking too much, or making abrupt transitions when instead it should be smooth transitions and segues, as well as following along. It should not be extreme where I only listen, and do not speak, but should be a steady balance. In summary, after taking the advice from Jaymasen, his metaphor has helped me do well and make friends at the event. Since then, I have met new people and my new friend who founded the Catholic young adults group, Noah, has told me that I am having good progress and no issues. God has placed people in my life that have helped me grow and mature faster than ever before. Jesus is the one to thank for all of this improvement.​

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