Page 11 - MyFaith Mag September 2016 Compelte

Most of us start our relationship with God when our lives are in a mess, and SEPTEMBER 2016 | 11
we come to Him because we recognize that He is the only one who can help
us get out of it. When I got serious about my relationship with God and started
studying His Word, I had so many issues – my life was a mess! And at times, I
wondered if I would ever be able to work through them all.

I know what it’s like to hurt so badly you don’t think you can go on unless
something changes. Sometimes all we feel we can pray is, “God, if I don’t get
a breakthrough in this area of my life, I don’t think I will make it!” But what we
really need to pray is, “God, if I can’t have more of You, I don’t think I can go on.
I’m hungry for more of You, and no matter what my circumstance is, I just need
more of You!”

EVALUATE WHAT YOU’RE REALLY SEEKING

If you want to determine honestly if God is first in your life, then ask yourself
this question: “Is God first in my time?”

Think about the way you spend your time. If all of the things you want to do
crowd Him out, then He’s not your first priority.

I remember years ago when I was so frustrated and felt overwhelmed by
everything I “had” to do. As I prayed for God to help me, I realized that I was
trying to work Him into my schedule, rather than working my schedule around
Him. But once my time with Him became my first priority, then everything else
became more manageable and enjoyable.

You know, we can be as close to God as we want to be. The key is putting time
into our relationship with Him. I recommend that you spend time with God first
thing in the morning, but if that doesn’t work for you, at least take a few minutes
to focus on Him and give Him your day before you get caught up in the busy-
ness of everyday life.

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live right-
eously, and He will give you everything you need” (NLT). God wants to show
His love for you by meeting your needs and giving you the desires of your heart
that line up with His will for you. As you make the transition from “God, what
can You do for me?” to “God, how can I know You more and what can I do for
You?” you’ll discover greater peace, joy and fulfillment in knowing Him. And
you’ll move forward in the life He has planned for you!

For more on this topic, order Joyce’s four-CD series Moving Forward.

Joyce Meyer is a New York Times bestselling author and founder of Joyce Meyer Minis-
tries, Inc. She has authored 100 books, including Battlefield of the Mind and Overload:
How to Unplug, Unwind and Unleash Yourself from the Pressure of Stress (Hachette).
She hosts the Enjoying Everyday Life radio and TV programs, which air on hundreds of
stations worldwide.

For more information, visit www.joycemeyer.org

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