A Durable Matter!

I have seen children immediately break into tears because their balloon merely touched a sharp blade of grass and popped. I have also seen children cry out as their helium inflated balloon drifted quickly out of reach and then out of sight as it soared high above. But give a child an un-inflated balloon and they will want you to blow it up for them. I also remember seeing a child who loved to break balloons become frustrated with one that just would not pop. The problem (or benefit to the balloon) was that it was not overly-inflated. Neither flat, nor stretched to the limit, it had a combination of GIVE and TOUGHNESS to make it survive.

Consider life. There are those who are a bit over-inflated with regard to themselves and have an aura of CONFIDENCE that may not be healthy. Then there are those who are "limp"; having a very low sense of self-esteem. Though HUMILITY is good, thinking oneself is of no account is not healthy either. There is the need for a balanced perception of self which provides some GIVE that accepts needed help, but also some TOUGHNESS (or CONFIDENCE) to encourage pressing on.

Someone has stated: "CONFIDENCE without HUMILITY is arrogance. HUMILITY without CONFIDENCE is weakness. CONFIDENCE and HUMILITY are both Biblical. And they're equally essential for a life of true faith." [original source unknown]

James encouraged. . .
"(10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and HE WILL EXALT YOU." ( James 4:10 ESV)

Peter similarly exhorted. . .
"(6) Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that AT THE PROPER TIME HE MAY EXALT YOU." ( 1 Peter 5:6 ESV)

HUMBLING ourselves before God is a part of a proper relationship with Him. Our life is to be fully surrendered to Him and His Will. However, in the relationship with Him there is reason for great CONFIDENCE for pressing on in life.

Even in the face of severe persecution the Hebrew writer encouraged. . .
"(6) So we can CONFIDENTLY SAY, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?' " ( Hebrews 13:6 ESV)

There we find BOLD CONFIDENCE coupled with HUMBLE reliance on God! Properly knowing God we HUMBLE ourselves, but properly trusting God we can live CONFIDENTLY! Though the world may squeeze us, holding such a faith we cannot be popped. (i.e. 2 Corinthians 4:8) May we retain this healthy focus so that our life will be balanced and therefore useful to God as we yield to fulfilling His Will.

Have a great day PROPERLY SUSTAINED WITHIN TO CARRY OUT GOD'S WILL!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Spiritual Health