Thankfulness, patience, stillness...so much.

Sometimes I become overwhelmed when I start thinking of all the things I must do to remain loyal and obedient to God. One day I read my devotion and it says "remain thankful" and another day it tells me to be patient, be still, be grateful, don't idolize on his grace, etc. Sometimes it seems as though there are so many rules and regulations in have a relationship with Christ and living in the way He wishes for us.

But then I step back and begin thinking. All of it is really..essentially, the same thing. In order to be thankful, I must have patience, in order to have patience I must have trust. To have trust, I must listen and believe. Still sounds a bit much, but when I dig a little deeper, it's so simple.

God doesn't want me to be overwhelmed. He doesn't want me to be tired. He doesn't want me to be so active that I forget how to be still. In the root of it, it all comes down to my focus. If God is my focus, if He is who I seek daily, all of it will come easy. (easy as in a non-easy kind of way)

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:16

 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—1 Peter 2:2

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Verses that help keep me on track.