Topic: Finding Your Balance [Joyce Meyer Devotional 3 July 2020]
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Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.— 1 Peter 5:8 (AMPC)
I remember sitting in my home looking up the word gentle in Strong’s concordance and saying, “Lord, You’ve got to help me!” because I thought I could never be gentle. Finally, God began to do a work in me in the area of gentleness. The only problem was that, like so many of us in the body of Christ, I was such an extremist that I couldn’t find a happy medium. Once I saw that I was out of balance in one area, I thought I had to go totally in the other direction, so I would adjust, adapt and overcompensate way too much. I became so “gentle” and “kind” and “patient” that I wouldn’t exercise any discipline over my youngest son, who was born after my other children were nearly grown. I let things get out of hand in my marriage, my home, my friendships, and my ministry. In the process, I learned that one extreme is just as bad as the other, so it’s extremely important that we learn balance.
On one hand, we can’t be harsh and hard, but on the other hand, we also shouldn’t be weak and excessively soft. We must not be irritable and impatient, flying off the handle and acting purely out of emotion. At the same time, we can’t become so mild-mannered that we turn into doormats and whipping posts for those who will take advantage of us if we give them the chance. There is a time to be patient and forbearing, and there is a time to be firm and decisive. There is a time to let go of frustrating situations, and there’s a time to display righteous anger. As we grow in God, He gives us the wisdom to know when to do which.
Prayer Starter: Jesus, please help me to live my life in a healthy, balanced way, so I’m not constantly bouncing from one extreme to the other. Thank You for Your grace, wisdom and strength to do things right! In Jesus’ Name, amen.