WHERE DO YOU TURN IN TIMES OF TROUBLE?
AS SECULARISM AND HUMANISM continue to gain traction in our culture, we are increasingly bombarded with messages of positive thinking, of our ability to “do” and “accomplish,” and with our ability to solve all our problems. Just think positively, the message goes, and have faith in yourself!
While we have written about the importance of building good self-esteem, we understand that good self-esteem, doesn’t mean putting our faith in our own abilities rather than God. Jeremiah warned Israel against just that kind of self-sufficiency, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trust in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the Lord'” (Jer.17:5). Contrast that warning with the promise two verses later which reads, “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.”
This is an amazing warning/promise combination. It tells us that during the troubled times in our marriages and in our homes–and they will come!–we had better make sure we’re not relying on our own talents and abilities. Instead, we need to consciously put our trust and our confidence completely in the God who created marriages and families in the first place.
NOTE: This article was taken from the book Family Life and Marriage Bible by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.
NOTE: Daily there is a new post to help your marriage succeed.
LOVE YOUR SPOUSE 
Hello Mrs. Nancy,
My question is how does one balance trusting God and not our ability. Sometimes it confuses me because we do have gifts and talents and use them in life. For example say someone is gifted with financial accountability. They go and build a million dollar company. Now i know we can use that for selfish gain and that’s wrong. So how can we use our talents and gifts without displeasing God? I have many hopes and dreams but everything seem so secular. I love photography but how does that glorify Christ? Are Christ disciples suppose to have careers? Thanks
Hi Tanisha!
I love your question. I think it is a very excellent one. There is no pat answer but I will give you some nuggets that will help you. The obvious one that I know you know is to pray and God will show you. You are asking, how does he show you. One way is that something will burn in your heart. It will not leave till you do what God wants you to do with your gift. The older you are in the Lord, it often changes. God tells me to use my faith, use His word, and use the wisdom he has given me. In other words, if I pursue what I think He wants me to do and I fail my endeavor, it is not a failure, just a learning lesson for me to help others.
If you love Photography, go for it. Take pictures at your church. Use them to advertise to bring souls into your church. Use it to bring in finances into your life and finances for the ministry. It is endless.
My husband is multi-talented. I don’t have any visible gifts, talents or hobbies. I envy people with gifts and talents. lol!!! What I do is out of my love for God and passion for the children of divorcees. I am not a writer at all! I can not write a paragraph, but I can write a blog and write to you as if you were in front of me. That is a gift I am told. You have photography! Right now dedicate it to God and use it for His honor and glory!