1 00:00:35,675 --> 00:00:40,635 Speaker 1: Welcome to Abides Daily Christian Meditations. I'm Tyler Boss. Today's 2 00:00:40,715 --> 00:00:43,915 Speaker 1: meditation is brought to you by our partners at Life Audio. 3 00:00:44,235 --> 00:00:46,475 Speaker 1: If you go to lifeaudio dot com you will find 4 00:00:46,555 --> 00:00:50,075 Speaker 1: dozens of other faith centered podcasts in their network. They've 5 00:00:50,075 --> 00:00:53,915 Speaker 1: got shows about prayer, Bible study, parenting, and more. Head 6 00:00:53,915 --> 00:00:57,795 Speaker 1: over to lifeaudio dot com now, and remember, you can 7 00:00:57,835 --> 00:01:01,555 Speaker 1: have full access to our meditations commercial free. Just text 8 00:01:01,635 --> 00:01:05,075 Speaker 1: abide to two two four three three for twenty five 9 00:01:05,115 --> 00:01:09,355 Speaker 1: percent off. Now receive his piece as we meditate and 10 00:01:09,435 --> 00:01:11,675 Speaker 1: abide in Christ. 11 00:01:12,915 --> 00:01:18,115 Speaker 2: Welcome to this Abide Meditation. I'm James Seawood. Have you 12 00:01:18,155 --> 00:01:23,795 Speaker 2: ever asked God? Why me? Why? Now? Hard times and 13 00:01:23,915 --> 00:01:27,915 Speaker 2: seasons of grief can drive us to God for different reasons. 14 00:01:28,435 --> 00:01:31,235 Speaker 2: Maybe you draw close to Him because life reminds you 15 00:01:31,395 --> 00:01:34,435 Speaker 2: how much you need him, Or maybe you can go 16 00:01:34,475 --> 00:01:38,395 Speaker 2: to Him with questions, why would a good God let 17 00:01:38,435 --> 00:01:46,275 Speaker 2: such a terrible thing happen to me? We can find 18 00:01:46,275 --> 00:01:50,355 Speaker 2: some hope in romans at which says, and we know 19 00:01:50,475 --> 00:01:52,995 Speaker 2: that in all things God works for the good of 20 00:01:53,035 --> 00:01:55,995 Speaker 2: those who love Him, who have been called according to 21 00:01:56,035 --> 00:02:00,595 Speaker 2: His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to 22 00:02:00,635 --> 00:02:04,035 Speaker 2: be conformed to the image of his son, that he 23 00:02:04,155 --> 00:02:07,715 Speaker 2: might be the first born among many brothers and sisters. 24 00:02:08,955 --> 00:02:12,155 Speaker 2: The writer explains that God shows you to become like 25 00:02:12,275 --> 00:02:16,475 Speaker 2: Jesus to be his child, and God is a good 26 00:02:16,475 --> 00:02:25,355 Speaker 2: father who takes care of his children. Take a deep breath, 27 00:02:26,675 --> 00:02:31,515 Speaker 2: find a comfortable position to sit and anchor yourself. Notice 28 00:02:31,515 --> 00:02:35,235 Speaker 2: the way your body feels in your seat. Notice any 29 00:02:35,435 --> 00:02:40,635 Speaker 2: aches or attention, and gently stretch. You might notice your 30 00:02:40,715 --> 00:02:44,915 Speaker 2: minds start to wander. When this happens, write down the 31 00:02:44,995 --> 00:02:49,595 Speaker 2: thought and return your focus to prayer. In God's presence, 32 00:02:54,795 --> 00:02:57,115 Speaker 2: all things work out for the good of those who 33 00:02:57,195 --> 00:03:02,475 Speaker 2: love God. Do you love God? The more you get 34 00:03:02,515 --> 00:03:05,675 Speaker 2: to know the Lord and learn to love him, the 35 00:03:05,795 --> 00:03:09,595 Speaker 2: easier it is to trust that He's working for your good. 36 00:03:10,315 --> 00:03:14,115 Speaker 2: He chose you, he loves you, and he is making 37 00:03:14,155 --> 00:03:21,955 Speaker 2: you more like Jesus. Pray with me, Dear Heavenly Father. 38 00:03:22,995 --> 00:03:26,555 Speaker 2: I am in awe of your majesty. Thank you for 39 00:03:26,755 --> 00:03:30,555 Speaker 2: working everything out for my good, even when I don't 40 00:03:30,635 --> 00:03:35,235 Speaker 2: understand any of it. Sometimes it's hard to trust that 41 00:03:35,595 --> 00:03:40,315 Speaker 2: this is true. Life just feels so chaotic and confusing. 42 00:03:41,555 --> 00:03:46,315 Speaker 2: Please help me trust in your perfect plan. I pray 43 00:03:46,395 --> 00:03:51,395 Speaker 2: that your will, not mine, would be done in my life. 44 00:03:51,795 --> 00:03:54,355 Speaker 2: Please soften my heart to hear what you want to 45 00:03:54,395 --> 00:03:58,115 Speaker 2: teach me. I want to listen and learn from you. 46 00:03:59,275 --> 00:04:07,475 Speaker 2: In Jesus name, I pray Amen. Breathe in slowly through 47 00:04:07,475 --> 00:04:11,955 Speaker 2: your nose and hold it for a moment. Then exhale 48 00:04:12,035 --> 00:04:16,475 Speaker 2: through your mouth. Notice the way your breath feels as 49 00:04:16,475 --> 00:04:21,395 Speaker 2: you do this again. When you're ready, close your eyes 50 00:04:21,755 --> 00:04:41,035 Speaker 2: and quiet your mind. God is faithful to forgive every time, 51 00:04:42,435 --> 00:04:46,795 Speaker 2: so don't keep anything from him out of shame or pride. 52 00:04:47,675 --> 00:04:50,195 Speaker 2: Do you have any recent sins that you haven't brought 53 00:04:50,195 --> 00:04:54,835 Speaker 2: to him, Confess them now so He can forgive and 54 00:04:54,995 --> 00:05:14,395 Speaker 2: heal you. Sometimes God allows painful situations in our lives 55 00:05:14,515 --> 00:05:18,235 Speaker 2: to show us that we can depend on Him, but 56 00:05:18,275 --> 00:05:22,355 Speaker 2: they can also reveal our sin. Is there a sin 57 00:05:22,515 --> 00:05:27,115 Speaker 2: pattern or habit that you struggle with? Surrender that to God. 58 00:05:30,595 --> 00:05:35,315 Speaker 2: Let's pray. Lord. When I look at the pain around me, 59 00:05:35,875 --> 00:05:39,035 Speaker 2: it's so hard to understand that you are working all 60 00:05:39,195 --> 00:05:42,995 Speaker 2: things out for my good. But when I fix my 61 00:05:43,115 --> 00:05:46,795 Speaker 2: eyes on the cross, it reminds me that your plan 62 00:05:46,915 --> 00:05:51,835 Speaker 2: is perfect. Even in deep sorrow. Thank you for everything 63 00:05:51,915 --> 00:05:55,115 Speaker 2: you have done for me to love me. As your child. 64 00:05:56,235 --> 00:05:59,155 Speaker 2: Please help me to trust you and be obedient to 65 00:05:59,195 --> 00:06:04,155 Speaker 2: your will as I navigate life today. In Jesus name, 66 00:06:04,195 --> 00:06:11,635 Speaker 2: I pray. Amen, take a few more moments in God's 67 00:06:11,715 --> 00:06:16,155 Speaker 2: loving presence to pray and reflect on His perfect plan 68 00:06:16,275 --> 00:06:23,235 Speaker 2: for your life. Express your trust in His plan until 69 00:06:23,315 --> 00:06:40,915 Speaker 2: next time. May you abide in Christ.