Properly Centered

How does one know if they are properly centered?

To be centered means to be emotionally stable and secure. So, the question we need to ask ourselves is where do we find stability and security? Is it in other people? Our spouses, family or friends? How about our homes or worldly possessions? Or do you find security in Jesus and God's Word?

Psalm 16:8 NIV

"I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."

Being God-centered means we put God's will above our own. Henry Blackaby says, "To know and do God's will, you must deny self and return to a God-centered life." This is not always easy to do, but Jesus requires this of us.

Luke 9:23-24 HCSB

"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.'"

Experiencing God by Henry & Richard Blackaby gives a comparison of being God-centered versus self-centered, check out just a few:

A God-centered life means we:

• Place confidence in God

• Depend on God and His ability and provision

• Focus on God and His activity

• Deny self

• Seek God's perspective in every circumstance

• Choose holy and godly living

A Self-centered life means we:

• Are focused on self

• Depend on self and abilities

• Affirm self

• Seek to be acceptable to the world and its ways

• Look at circumstances from a human perspective

• Choose selfish and worldly living

We need to clarify that self-care is not being selfish, in fact, self-care is required of us. God's Word says so.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

We must make our well-being and health a priority and this encompasses several areas of our lives, let's take a look:

• Keeping the Sabbath - we must honor God's commandment in keeping the Sabbath day holy. How many of us actually keep a day of rest? This means no work, TV, social media, or housework, instead we should pray, read our Bible, listen to Christian music, spend time outside in God's creation, have family devotional or worship time. Exodus 20:8-10

• Exercise and eat healthy - are you intentionally eating healthy foods? Do you make time for walking or some form of exercise to keep your body strong?

• Seeking wise counsel - are you surrounded by wise people who encourage and uplift you? Do they challenge you in a positive way? If not, you may want to change who you are spending time with.

• Marriage - if you are married, what steps do you take to ensure that your relationship stays strong? Do you carve out uninterrupted time with one another (without phones) etc.? Is God at the center of your relationship? What is one thing you can do each week together to strengthen the bond between you? Here's a few recommendations: read Bible together, pray together, read marriage devotional, enjoy a date night (no talking about work or kids) instead talk about your dreams and find out how you can support & encourage each other to make those a reality.

Taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being, happiness, and relationships, especially your Sabbath is necessary not only to have the strength to excel the rest of the week, but it's crucial for a well-balanced life as well.

Henry Blackaby says "To live a God-centered life, you must focus on God's purposes, not your own plans. You must seek to view situations from God's perspective rather than from your own human outlook." I want to be honest with you, being God-centered is not easy for me, but I have realized that I must submit to His will moment by moment and with every decision I make, this requires total submission and surrender which is something I have been struggling with for a while. This is why I am SO grateful that we serve a gracious and merciful Father who is forgiving and compassionate and never gives up on us when we mess up.

Proverbs 11:2 NIV

"When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Friends, I hope you are challenged to make the Sabbath a priority in your life so that you can reap the benefits from living a God-centered life!

Written by: Jill Theriault

Crossroads Coaching - @crossroadscoachingongodstime