How Then Should We Live?

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Our culture teaches that leaning on self is the way to go. Self-focus, living one’s best life, and adhering to our own personal truths is the message of modern day society.  Sadly all of these self-focused messages lead to frustration, loneliness, conflict and division.  From this comes an almost universal sense of disillusion, depression and overwhelming fear and anxiety because life just isn’t looking like society tells us and we believe it should. The actual truth is that what the world is selling people is precisely the opposite of what truth really is and where lasting peace and joy can be found. There is one truth and that is God’s truth and it really is quite simple.

Lasting peace, joy and fulfillment are only found in being God focused instead of self-focused.


That said, how then should we live?



Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment.  

Matthew 22:37-38


Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.

Matthew 6:33


Humbling ourselves, dying to the god of self and giving ourselves completely to our Creator God and His plan for our salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, will have a far greater fulfilling and joyful effect on our lives than we can imagine.


Growing our faith and trust in God through daily prayer, reading the Bible and fellowshipping with other believers in church, small groups and solid Bible studies all will help us to re-align our focus from the dark distractions of the world to the light and truth of Christ.  Darkness, depression, anxiety and frustration will begin to melt away when we focus on the Gospel truth and begin to live for Christ.


It takes daily conscious effort and constant reminder to turn things over to God. When we read our Bible and pray daily, we receive this vital, constant reminder that helps us grow in trust and love relationship with Christ.


TRUST = Confidence in.


Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6



Steps to begin growing in trust:


Decide to follow God.

        * Accept Jesus as your Lord and    

           Savior. 

        * Profess your new faith through 

           water baptism.

        * Join a solid, Bible, believing 

          Church.

        * Develop a personal 

            relationship with Jesus Christ. (See process below)

(Read the Bible daily, pray daily, listen, for what God is speaking to your heart while you read and pray, fellowship with other believers, serve in your church where God leads you, avoid worldly activities.)



Steps to continue growing in trust and relationship with God:


Choose to put God first daily. 

(Start your day with prayer & talk with Him throughout your day.)


Study His word daily. 

(Whether you have time to read a lot or just a little, reading and meditating on Scripture will strengthen and encourage you in your walk with Jesus.)


Listen to His responses as He convicts you and also impresses His thoughts in your heart.


Remember that you’re not in control, God is! 


Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10


Pay attention to what you are thinking about and redirect to thinking positive things if negative thinking creeps in.


Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice.

Philippians 4:8



Make a daily effort to live in ways that glorify God, avoiding negative thinking and sinful words & actions.


Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31-32


Repent to God when you fail. Asking for His forgiveness and help in cleansing your heart of anything that does not honor Him and helping you to turn from temptation and sin, toward Him and His goodness.


If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9


Repent therefore and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord…

Acts 3:19-20a



In your daily prayer time, ask God to help you grow your faith and obedience to Him and to deepen your relationship with Him.


Jesus Said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.  I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper Who will stay with you forever.  He is the Holy Spirit, Who will reveal the truth about God."

John 14:15-17


  • Trusting God gets easier over time, with daily practice.
  • When you trust Him, you will be able to see His activity and guiding hand in your life!

         *  Dying to self, giving your life to Christ and allowing Him to be first will be the very best decision you will ever make!