The Danger of Inconsistency

Scripture

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. -I Corinthians 15:58

A deep dissatisfaction permeated my heart.  I was missing the mark on the responsibilities, mandates, and goals before me. I could hear discouraging tones in my mind, "When are you going to pull it together?" on one hand, but life-giving words of the Holy Spirit, "You've got this, daughter. Let me show you how." It was a battle raging within me. The desires of my flesh were opposed to the desires of the Spirit, and vice versa, creating a conflict that prevented me from doing what they would naturally want to do, which was to please God. Inconsistency is dangerous in the life a believer. The scripture above calls us to be firm, steadfast, and immovable. I felt like I could not create a routine in my life and stick with it. Juggling a demanding career, being a parent, running a household, and being a child of God became overwhelming. However, my approach to my life and my thinking was faulty. Because I am a child of God, He would put all these other aspects in their proper place if I allowed Him. I had to humble myself under God's hand and acknowledge that on my own, I can't handle the responsibilities, mandates, and achieve goals effectively. Apart from God, there would be many more failed attempts and much more inconsistency in my life. 

Inconsistency is dangerous because it leads to hypocrisy and double-mindedness. When we attempt to lead even one area of our life without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we open the door to instability. Double-mindedness is the result of wavering between faith in what God said and doubting that He can do what He said. This ultimately leads to hypocrisy. How can we minister to and encourage others when we lack confidence in the Word? We may allow Him to work in one area of our lives, but in others, we don't.  The enemy comes in and wrecks that parts of our life that are left unprotected. Therefore, our good names are tarnished and we have the potential of cultivating a hardened heart. 

Beloved, though I was professing to God that He could have all areas of my life, my actions showed Him something different. I didn't allow the Holy Spirit to have full control; therefore, I wasn't fully submitted. Truthfully, this was a very difficult truth I had to face in my life. With great humility, I had to confess and repent to the Father. With His loving grace, the Holy Spirit stepped right in and began to guide me. Beloved, I desire to live out this journey with the Lord confidently and faithfully. There are times when the Holy Spirit will have to remind us to stay in that blessed place under His wing. If you're trying to handle certain areas of your life on your own, Beloved, be encouraged today to surrender it all to Him.

Prayer

Father, we surrender our entire life to you. You are a consistent God, unchanging and true. We come before you today asking for the grace to be more like you. Lord, please show us the inconsistencies in our thoughts and actions that are hindering our growth and purpose.  In Jesus' name. Amen