Dear Blessed in Him,

Yes, that is normal! We live in the world, but we are not of the world when we have Jesus as our Savior and Lord! I tell people that when our vertical looking is based on Christ and Christ alone, then our horizontal looking will be correct. Our vertical looking is straight up to Jesus and His power and promises.

When we start our day praying and reading the Bible which is our manual for success, then our day starts correctly. We have His Word to stand on throughout our day and we have His direction because we sought Him in prayer.

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you (Matthew 6:33). Matthew was talking about how all the worries of life can come upon us; they are very real. Life brings normal needs to survive and relations to handle. But this verse says to seek first (not second!) God and His righteousness. Righteousness is right-wise-ness! When this is done which is our vertical looking up to Jesus, then and only then will all other things come in line.

When we look to Him first, He will give us His peace and joy no matter what comes our way. When we read His Word and pray, it causes our spirit man to increase in our trust and faith in our Lord. It matures the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us which we can then apply to our everyday challenges that many times are people.

Our greatest priority is to seek the Kingdom of God FIRST before all else or anyone else. Then we will want God’s will in our life at all times. This is a choice for all of us. Choose the Kingdom of God first and be led by the Spirit. Choose anything else first and be led by feelings! Victor or Victim? Up to us.