Every Journey Begins With a StepMostră

Rest in God’s faithfulness.

Abraham went to Egypt, where he lied, deceived, and submitted his wife to hardship for his own sake – all to protect himself. He was acting out of fear, although his heart was to obey. Fear can make us choose poorly.

Abraham still wanted to do the work of God, but his faith needed to grow. God had to teach him his errors, but God still kept his promise and blessed Abraham. God will also be gentle with us as we make mistakes and learn. I can look back on so many seasons of my life when God was faithful, even amid my brokenness.

When Tracy and I were newly married, I didn’t know how to be a loving, kind husband. Because of my own broken family and self-sufficiency during my childhood, I had to learn the basics of healthy relationships: communication, forgiveness, and compromise. Tracy was so patient with me, and I can attribute our strong marriage to God’s faithfulness to us both.

In my parenting, I had to learn to lead with love instead of law. As I learned more about the character of God, I was able to follow His example. God loves us all the time, continually, regardless of our level of obedience. The same should be true in the way I love my kids. They should know they are unconditionally loved and accepted, no matter their behavior. Of course, God corrects and guides us, just as we do our children, but He leads with love.

Because of our own fallen sin nature, it’s tempting to rely on our own understanding and to try to take control. We can look at circumstances and situations and make decisions based on what we see. However, in all areas of our lives, it's critical to rely on God and godly counsel. Before you make a decision that may alter your future and hurt others, take a few intentional steps:

• Study God’s Word.
• Pray and ask God for direction.
• Seek Spirit-led, wise counsel for additional confirmation and wisdom.

Ask yourself: Do I understand the faithfulness and love of God? Am I loving others according to His goodness and righteousness?