I have mentioned before, that I had my own issues with God’s plan for my life. One of the biggest fears I still own, relates to providing for my family.
These days, I don’t need a lot of “things”. Now that I have a family, I just want to provide for them. I want to be able to pay our bills, keep a roof over our heads, food in our bellies, and gas in our car.
Yet, as noble as that sounds, it can have a LARGELY selfish and prideful nature plugged into it when you try to go about it the wrong way.
I tried many selfish and sinful, avenues to make money in the past.
Let’s list a few and explain the ramifications each had on my life:
- supporting and maintaining adult websites – I became addicted to pornography and sexual interactions
- leveraged (aka. debt) house flipping – real estate plunged and I lost millions and so did my investors.
- digital marketing for online gambling – congress outlawed online gambling; I personally paid back thousands of dollars to investors.
All of those things failed because they break God’s basic principles for life and business. The book of Proverbs is full of God’s rules, that even Jesus mentions. (see my article on His provision). One thing to take note of: God does not tend to bless us (as believers) when we walk in worldly, selfish ways.
One thing to take note of: God does not tend to bless us when we walk in worldly, selfish ways.
Over a decade ago now, I started over. I recommitted my life to walking in His paths. I stopped abusing the drugs and alcohol that I used to dull the pain of my old-life. Then, the Lord decided it was time for me to start my second half.
At first, I attempted to build a new company. I was focused and determined, but I was still self propelled. In the end, I was left looking for a new path once again.
For a while, I tried working for others, but it was difficult to find work during the largest recession in decades. I ended up homeless, sleeping on the couches of friends and family when I could bring myself to seek their help. When I couldn’t bare the shame, I slept in my car.
I finally, broke down and cried out to the Lord. Once again he reminded me that I was still holding my life back from Him. He reminded me that He would not bless me as long as I fought His ways.
Even though I had no address, no bank account, and no phone, the Lord found a way. Within a few weeks, the Lord found me work.
I was happy for a time, but in the politics of a large corporate world, I became restless. Fighting for my own provision, and fearing it’s loss, I took control and ignored my God and His ways. Thinking “I could find something better”, I left the place God planted me. In my struggle to succeed, I turned my back on His blessing and within a few months I was laid off from the new company.
I thought “I am the problem” and I wasn’t wrong, but the enemy took that foothold and turned it into a stronghold. Struggling with depression, thoughts of worthlessness, rage and anger issues, I considered turning back to the drugs and alcohol that ruled my old-life. All because I started to believe the LIE that “I was destined for failure”.
The reality is that God took His hand from me for a short season, and only for correction. Then the Spirit intervened and planted in me a deep knowledge in my heart that was later confirmed in scripture. (Irons sharpens iron; a wise man seeks counsel of others, etc…)
I needed “God-honoring” men in my life and the Spirit made sure I understood that. My heart was burdened with a need for men who would pray over me, give me wise counsel and call me out on my foolishness.
I took the hands off the wheel and I submitted control once again to God’s provision. In return, men at the church stepped up. I was connected to a core group that helped reshape my life over the next three years…
Patrick Morley had a very good article on Men Mentoring Men on the Man in the Mirror blog.
There is more to the story, but for the sake of getting to the point; the pattern to notice is simple.
God, has a PURPOSE for each of us.
Our Heavenly Father God has a PLAN for us to achieve that purpose.
And… When we choose to pay attention and follow HIS WAYS:
God PROVIDES to those on the the path to which He GUIDES.
Think about that for a while… Then tell me, Why are you still trying to take the wheel from Him?
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May Jesus have His way with your day
He is Founder and consultant for Tek Management,
Founder of the Men’s Leadership site: CalebStrong.org,
Co-Founder of the online Bible study app: BibleCounts
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