How to Get Where You Want to Be

I remember an interview that happened years ago now, and the interviewer asked me, “Does God want people to be rich?”

I knew that simply saying yes or no wouldn’t be clear enough, so I explained it like this: “God wants His people to have everything they can handle and keep Him first in their lives, be a blessing to other people, and keep a good attitude.”

He then said, “So you do believe God wants people to have possessions and material wealth.”

I said, “Yes, if they can handle it.”

Then he challenged me with this question: “What do you tell the housewife whose husband has left her, she has three kids, the refrigerator is broken down, the car is broken down, and she doesn’t have your life? What do you tell her?”

I said, “I tell her to do the same thing I did: Don’t quit and don’t give up. Persevere and keep doing what God is telling you to do, and little by little, you will get where you want to be.”

It Didn’t Just Happen Overnight

We descend into our troubles a little bit at a time, not all at once. Oftentimes, we get into messes in our lives through years of making bad choices. And we can’t expect to get our lives straightened out overnight.

Yes, God is a miracle-working God, and He can fix our problems in a moment if He wants to. But it usually doesn’t happen that way.  

It wouldn’t be good for us if He just waved a magic wand over us and fixed our messes instantaneously. If He did, we wouldn’t learn anything and would just make the same mistakes all over again.

The way we get out of trouble is through learning how to make right choices. And if we make wise decisions and do what God tells us to do, we’ll have what He says we can have.  

The Truth About God’s Blessings for You

Now, the blessings are not just stuff. The world is full of people who have a lot of money, yet they’re still miserable.  

God wants to bless His children with real love, peace, joy and righteousness. That’s the kind of life Jesus died to give us – abundant life. He also wants to bless us in material ways so we can be a blessing to others, not just so we can have stuff.

Deuteronomy 30:19 has a simple message: Do what God tells you to do, and you’ll be blessed. Don’t do what He tells you to do, and you won’t be blessed. 

I want you to really hear what I’m saying: The promises of God are for anyone who chooses to love Him and follow His ways – not just a select group of people.  

The truth is if you will obey God’s direction for your life and trust Him, you will have what God says you can have.  

The Way to Get Out of the Mess You’re In

God is faithful to His Word. So whatever your mess is, be determined to do what’s right so you can see good results, no matter how long it takes.  

The key is being committed to obey God, trusting that He will give you the ability to do everything He shows you to do. Make a determined decision to be diligent in your personal relationship with Him, spending time in prayer and studying the Bible.

With God on your side, you can get out of the trouble you’re in. Your financial situation can get better. Your marriage can change and improve. You can have a healthy body. You can have peace and joy. You can have a great relationship with God.

Jesus said He came so we might have and enjoy our life. He wants us to have peace, joy and freedom from worry and anxiety. As we really love God and seek Him, He will give us His wisdom and show us the path of the blessed life we can have in Christ.