Earlier I stated every tool in this series is based on a verse, passage or biblical principle. When teaching this tool in a counseling setting many say upon seeing the flash card, “I’m not an expert on the Bible, but I have never read that verse in my King James Version.”
It is in the Bible, but stated differently; and just as succinctly. It is found in Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and He will steer your car. (Actually) and he shall direct thy paths.”
Life is a constant state of motion – even when we sleep. But this problem solving principle is operative only in an awake state. Before you can steer a car it must be in motion. Before God can steer our car our car must be in motion.
Coupling this thought with a desire to make changes, theoretically we must put our life vehicle into motion to activate this biblical principle. One must pull away from the curb of life and get into the flow of life.
Notice I did not say, “Go with the flow.” I said, “Pull out into the flow.”
At this point two things must happen simultaneously: As one pulls out into the flow they must, in the same instant, put God behind the wheel of their life; and then must ride shot gun. The blessing is that if one is going in the wrong direction, God will steer them in the right direction.
Society says, “Go with the flow. If it feels good; do it. It’s your body. You can do with it as you want.”
This is a half-truth. Yes, it is your body. You may do with it as you choose, provided there is no one stopping you. But you are not free to choose the consequences of your choices. Poor choices many times lead to long lasting or everlasting consequences.
Reflect on my testimony in the previous lesson. On December 31, 1951, I was free to drink my first beer. No one tried to stop me. In fact, they encouraged me to do so. I was not free, however, not to be an alcoholic for the next 17 years – that is, until I put God behind the wheel of my life.
According to I John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” No biblical provisions are granted regarding the consequences generated as the result of our forgiven sins.
Rev. Dr. Vander Warner, Jr., former pastor of Grove Avenue Baptist Church, repeated often the warning, “If it feels good, that might be the best reason not to do it.”
Next time, Problems are Solutions in Disguise.
This may sound like an over simplification of all you have struggled with for perhaps too long – but it is not. For every problem God has a solution. This is the first step in identifying our problem, which is, giving it a name.
Rev. Thomas (Tom) C. Lacy is Founder and Director, of New Hope Counseling Service and on the Board of Advisors of the Virginia Christian Alliance
