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Consistent vs. Conflicted Living

So we've entered the second half of year 2019 and I don't know about you, but things have accelerated for me.  So much is coming at me at once that my head is spinning.  That sounds like the Word I've been releasing.  What Word?  Here you go . . . 

13-15 “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree.

“Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other. You won’t be able to keep up. Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings! Blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel:

“They’ll rebuild their ruined cities.
They’ll plant vineyards and drink good wine.
They’ll work their gardens and eat fresh vegetables.
And I’ll plant them, plant them on their own land.
They’ll never again be uprooted from the land I’ve given them.”
God, your God, says so.  Amos 9:13-15 MSG

Yes, this has been not only my declaration, but also my expectation.  That's right!  I actually believe what I say.  My prayers are consistent with my belief and saturated with the Word of God.  I cannot afford to live a conflicted life.  What do I mean?  Good Question!  A life of conflict is actualized when we pray one thing, believe something else, speak in opposition to what we pray and believe, and then act in contradiction to what we pray, and say we believe.  Okay.  Let's use this scripture as our example:

19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:19 NLT

Conflicted Living:

iPray:  Father your word declares that, And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  So I release every need to you.  The big, the small, and even those needs I am not aware of currently.  My most urgent needs I trust you to supply.  I thank you before I see it.  I decree it's done by faith.  Your word declares, And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. I believe you God.  I love you.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

iThink:  Okay, I know God said He would supply all of my needs, but what if He doesn't?  What am I going to do?  Is He going to leave me hanging?  Is He really going to come through for me?

iSay:  Lord, I know you said you'd supply, but time is running out.  So I gotta do, what I gotta do.

iAct:  I make some moves because I'm impatient, and out of fear that God isn't going to come through for me.

Inconsistency, confusion, and instability are the characteristics that plague those who choose to live the Conflicted Life.  The Word declares, 

6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.  James 1:6 NLT

See, inconsistent, confused, and unstable. A person who lives like this is all over the place.  One day its, "I trust God!"  The next day, "I don't know what I'm going to do!"  The next day, "I Got Me!" People observing those who live this way aren't sure who they'll meet from day to day, hour to hour, moment to moment.  The one who lives a Conflicted Life cannot be trusted because if it gets too tough they are likely to leave.  Maybe not physically, but mentally.  

In contrast to the Conflicted Life, I have chosen the Consistent Life.  Let's use the example from above.

Consistent Life:

iPray:  Father your word declares that, And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.  So I release every need to you.  The big, the small, and even those needs I am not aware of currently.  My most urgent needs I trust you to supply.  I thank you before I see it.  I decree it's done by faith.  Your word declares, And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. I believe you God.  I love you.  In Jesus Name, Amen.

iThink:  I don't see how I'm going to come out of this, but God said He'd take care of it so I believe He will.

iSay:  It's rough right now, but Lord you said you'd take care of it.  You know timelines and deadlines.  You are even able to suspend timelines and deadlines.  So I'll wait patiently on you to come through.

iAct:  I wait patiently on God to come through.  I wait on Him to do what He said He'd do.

Consistent, clear, and stable are the characteristics of those who choose to live the Consistent Life. The Word declares,

1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
    follow the advice of the wicked,
    or stand around with sinners,
    or join in with mockers.

2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
    meditating on it day and night.

3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
    bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
    and they prosper in all they do.  Psalm 1:1-3 NLT

See consistent, clear, and stable.  A person who lives like this is solid.  Their consistency is the breeding ground for productivity and success.  People observing those who live the Consistent Life view them as optimistic.  They are known as those who believe against all odds.  Consistent Livers are barrier breakers.  They are reliable, trustworthy, and are not moved by difficulty or rough times. Consistent Livers will walk through the fire with you knowing, believing it gets better.

I cannot afford Conflicted Living.  It's not a productive lifestyle.  I was created to produce.  Not only was I created to produce, I am expected to produce.  You don't believe me, see for yourself:

27 So God created human beings[a] in his own image.
In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:27-28 NLT

Did you read that?  Do you see what I see?  Not only does God expect me to be productive, but He expects you to produce too!  Come on and join me!  It's Consistent Living for me!  How about you?

My Word of Wisdom for you:  Choose the Consistent Life!

Tamara D. Pope,

Author & Coach