What we must beware of is not damage to our belief in God but damage to our Christian disposition or state of mind. “Take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously” (Malachi 2:16). Our state of mind is powerful in its effects. It can be the enemy that penetrates right into our soul and distracts our mind from God. There are certain attitudes we should never dare to indulge. If we do, we will find they have distracted us from faith in God. Until we get back into a quiet mood before Him, our faith is of no value, and our confidence in the flesh and in human ingenuity is what rules our lives.

Beware of “the cares of this world . . .” (Mark 4:19). They are the very things that produce the wrong attitudes in our soul. It is incredible what enormous power there is in simple things to distract our attention away from God. Refuse to be swamped by “the cares of this world.”

Another thing that distracts us is our passion for vindication. St. Augustine prayed, “O Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.” Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God. Don’t say, “I must explain myself,” or, “I must get people to understand.” Our Lord never explained anything— He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves.

When we discern that other people are not growing spiritually and allow that discernment to turn to criticism, we block our fellowship with God. God never gives us discernment so that we may criticize, but that we may intercede.

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November 23, 2010

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Over and over the lesson becomes the same; whatever or however challenging the circumstance, the answer is the same, Jesus. Whether it is contempt or insults from someone, or my need to vindicate or defend myself, I can turn to Jesus and find my peace. He becomes the most simple and yet profound and comprehensive solution to all my challenges in this life.

And God says…” Jesus is the way, the truth and the light. Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added unto you….Acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and do not rely on your own strength or initiative and He will make your paths straight. Jesus…..who is able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within you.”