What does it mean to choose the path of most intensity?
Plain and simple, it means walking in the flesh. And while it might not be at all times, it could be in a particular area especially when expecting resistance. It's like gearing up for a battle when all the while God is planning and pointing to a more peaceful and joyful way. Sure the Lord gave me a gift for problem-solving, but the danger, if this gift is not submitted for Him to use in the way He sees fit, is to default to problem-solving mode. It is the path of most-opportunities-to-be-proud. Something's up so I have to solve it. The arrogance of it! It means that unless the Lord is saying, "I want you to take this on", we have no business taking it on. It's as if we get spiritual amnesia and forget there is a God, Who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. They are all three Persons of the Godhead, all the help we need when faced with the numerous challenges that life presents.
I believe that as we mature in Christ our approaches to challenges change, and change they must. For me, several months ago the Lord told me He was going to show me how to have more fun or that He wanted me to have more fun. I don't remember the exact words at the moment, but to Him, more fun was in my immediate future. I translated that into joy. That is why I believe He shared with me what He did today, that I tend to choose the past of most intensity. And to be transparent, that means the path of contention. Why is that? This is no excuse but I do believe if I were a man, I would have needed to be in the armed forces, or an athlete or some high-intensity vocation. But as a woman, yes, you can be fiery if that is how the Lord has made you, but Jesus was gentle as the Scriptures teach us. That is to be my default position. Jesus was also meek, that means He usually restrained His power. I do believe that Jesus may have listened more than He spoke because He was humble and lowly and did not need to be a loud-mouth to establish His identity. He knew Who and Whose He was. We ought to follow His example.
Jesus's modus operandi was simple: He did what He saw the Father do, said what He heard the Father say, and went where the Father led. He did not come to "fix" although He did. He came to follow His Father plan. Jesus was, and still is, the Way the Father accomplishes anything. The Father is the Source of the power and anything needed to carry out His plan. Father (Source), Son (Mode/Way), Holy Spirit (Revealer). Important disclaimer: All Parts of the Godhead has multiple names, these main names are used for illustrative purposes on this particular post.
I heard Robert Morris, senior pastor at Gateway Church is Houston, TX, say something I have never heard before. He said, that Holy Spirit is not His name but His function. He is the Spirit of God. God is His name. Same for the Jesus and the Father. All three Persons are God. Not different expressions or modes but three separate Beings, Who always operate in unity.
What does it mean to choose the path of joy and peace?
To choose the path of joy and peace, as the Holy Spirit counseled me last night, is to humble oneself realizing that we do not have all the answers and let God be God. He is the only One who sees all, knows all, and is all powerful. No other being either inside or outside of the universe can claim such prowess. In addition, the human body is not built to take on every stress and strain and essentially live a life of worry. God says, "Stop it." He says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." [Philippians 4:6-7].
THE ROLES
Those two little verses warns and promises a lot:
Your Part:
- Do not worry about anything
- Pray about all things that cause worry
- Thank God for the many things in your life and are from Him
- Be specific, be authentic, be transparent about what is causing you to worry in telling Him about the problem
God's part:
- Grants you peace that does not make sense
- Will keep you from all harm caused by anxiety and anxious thoughts
- You will maintain a healthy heart (stress over time kills)
- You will maintain you sanity (worry over time drives you mad)
Ok, So it's not at easy as it sounds ...
If you're having a hard time with Phil. 4:6-7, particularly in following God's commands in it, ask Him to grant you to grace to do it and to go through your trial with the peace and joy that only He can give you. There is a reason for the Scripture, "The joy of the Lord is my strength." Joy and worry cannot co-exist. Worry weakens while joy strengthens.
Peace and Joy are parts of the "Fruit of the Spirit"
The fact that peace and joy are parts of the Fruit of the Spirit is an indication that walking in the Spirit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control means we are not simultaneously walking in the flesh and giving in to worry. You see, worry is self-idolatry. It means that although I am not built or meant to solve this problem, I have no other alternative but to do it. I means you make yourself god and have no One to depend upon. Worry, means your faith not in operation while worrying.
Yet, we all do it. Why? This is because as humans, we are still battling the flesh. And just went we have learnt to trust God in a particular area, here comes another reason to worry. What's the key then? Stay in constant connection with God through His Holy Spirit. Now, this does not always have to be hours in prayer. God is always accessible and sometimes 1 minute to turn you heart and mind toward Him will alleviate that tendency and temptation to worry. Our regenerate spirits are already turned toward Him. It's our souls (mind, will, and emotions), that is still being transformed, that needs the extra help.
So friend, stay in the Word of God. Worship all the them. And I mean really worship. Playing worship songs is nice and can start you on your way but true worship comes from inside of you and often, Holy Spirit will give you your heart unique song to God. He loves to hear those! And of course, as mentioned above, pray, pray, pray. That means, have a conversation with God, of course with the proper protocol and don't forget to listen, too.
Conclusion
Relinquishing Control
Now, in order to choose joy and peace, it requires a certain degree of letting go, mostly of the control of directing how the issue will play out. We must leave the outcomes to the Lord and simply do our part, our responsibility. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us not to lean on our own understanding but in all of our ways, acknowledge the Lord and He will direct our paths. HE will direct it, not us.
It is also important to remember that relinquishing control to God means that we cannot assign control to another unless God instructs us to do so. He has to be paramount, and as children of the Light, we are never alone and never without the Counsel of our Leader. We can proceed with confidence that relinquishing control means the best outcomes at all times, whether possible or "impossible".
So don't default to the road of intensity and contention, we must follow the Lord and choose His path which will always lead to peace and joy. That's how we stay strong in the battle, whether natural or supernatural. Yes, we are at war, but I am convinced, God gains nothing when we become battle-weary, scraped up, and unwilling to go on. No! We are overcomers because He showed us how when He overcame the world! He warned us that trouble is inevitable. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [John 16:33].
We never lose our joy. That's why the Psalmist, Paul, and Peter exhort us to rejoice at all times, especially in our adversity.
Other great Scriptures for your daily diet
Psalm 5:11
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
Psalm 9:2
I will be glad and rejoice in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
1 Peter 1:6
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
1 Peter 1:8whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 John 4:4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 5:4
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
1 John 5:5
Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 Peter 1:3-12 [The passage in context]
Heavenly Inheritance
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us[b] they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
Rejoice!
Angels can only "inquire" of what we know by experience in Christ! And the prophets of old yearned to know and to live in this dispensation of the Kingdom of God, the age of Christ. Hallelujah!
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us[b] they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.
Rejoice!
Angels can only "inquire" of what we know by experience in Christ! And the prophets of old yearned to know and to live in this dispensation of the Kingdom of God, the age of Christ. Hallelujah!
