God's Training Ground

Our life is considered God's training ground. As we study God's Word and learn how to pray fervently for His guidance we will learn how to overcome and persevere through various degrees of trials and tribulations.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

This training ground (our life) is where God builds our self-confidence as we learn to trust Him wholeheartedly. It's also where we learn to surrender our will and renounce ungodliness. But most importantly, God's training ground teaches us how to listen, hear, and follow God's voice which directs us to do His will and to preach the gospel to the world. Jesus was our perfect role model of how to do this!

Mark 16:15-16 NIV

"He said to them, go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

During our lifetime we are given a core group of people, those whom God has brought into our lives. They've gained our complete trust, they are authentic and truthful with us (in a positive and encouraging way), they celebrate our accomplishments, but most importantly they challenge us to align our thoughts and actions with God and to view our lives through His perspective and not our own.

Titus 2:12-14 NIV

"It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

This core is crucial to our wellbeing and spiritual walk with God because they remind us that God is our foundation; this foundation is where our hope is built upon. Let's encourage one another to be self-controlled and ask God to strengthen each of us so that we can overcome every temptation, obstacle, or trial we face.

Taking inventory:

• Where are you currently being fed spiritually, morally, and physically?

• Is God front and center in your life? If not, why not? How can you make God a priority in your life?

• Who are you spending time with? Are they moral people? Do they encourage you to be Christ-like? If not, determine why you are in that relationship.

• Are you influencing people around you in a positive and Godly way and vice versa?

If you realize that you are not living a life that God has called you to, I want to encourage you to be courageous and step out of your circle. Find people who will support and encourage you to become everything God is calling you to be and do. Remember iron sharpens iron, who you spend time with has the potential to impact your life positively or negatively.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

Allow God to develop your character, become intentional align your words and actions with Gods. Don't allow past mistakes to keep you from God's best.

When we sincerely repent, God forgives. Use your life's testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness in your life as a way of bringing honor and glory to Him.

Friends, I pray you will use God's training ground as an opportunity to find P.E.A.C.E. (Purpose, Encouragement, Acceptance, Clarity, Endurance) in your life!

Colossians 1:15-20 NIV

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime