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When Life is Going Well
Don't we all wish life could be smooth sailing every day? That life would always be going well? Clearly life doesn't work that way, but there are seasons and times where it genuinely does.
What is our attitude and perspective during these seasons? What is the reason for them and how do we live during them?
It's an area we should absolutely enjoy and not take for granted, but it's also an area we should keep in check.
Often, when life is going well, we don't recognize our need for God as much. We may not go to Him as genuinely or consistently. We may not acknowledge Him as much and we may contribute our smooth sailing to our own efforts rather than His. Ultimately, pride can creep in.
In Psalm 73, a Psalm of Asaph, Asaph starts out by saying,
"Truly God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled, my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked."
One question we need to ask and not be afraid to answer truthfully is, "Am I truly walking in God's will right now? Is what I'm doing honoring to Him and in line with His ways? Asaph discerned from God about the wicked. They prosper for a time, but in the end they are destroyed.
Asaph also said in Psalm 73,
"All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence."
He knew he was walking in the truth. Yet living for Christ is very often tough because of how it is completely opposite of the world's ways. It can and is a daily battle we must fight. God truly is good to those who are pure in heart and stay close to him. He brings life's greatest blessings!
But the wicked also prosper. They prosper in the world's eyes, however, and their end is not good. God will hand them over to their lusts, dishonorable passions and debased minds (Rom. 1:24,26,28) leading them to a "good" life now, but not so good life later when it really counts.
Has pride crept in? Are we venturing further from the way of Christ as life continues to go well and walking more in our own strength? Or are we fighting that battle and finding God's blessings through that, making that the true reason for our season of smooth sailing? If so, are we giving praise and thanks to God for that?
Every good work we were created and are able to do is a gift and was prepared for us ahead of time (Eph. 2:8-10). All credit for any good in us is all due to God's love and His Son's sacrifice for us. Let's bring praise and glory to whom it's due when blessings overflow!
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