Shocking, isn’t it?  Yes, we can be rather full of ourselves when things are going well. We can quickly give ourselves a pat on the back with many reasons why WE think things are going well. We love it when our plans come together. So we make more plans and ask God to bless them. Oops, did you read that? WE make plans and ask God to bless them? That is just a small example of being “full of ourselves”. Only God knows what is ahead. Pastor James reminds us of that…

“And now I have a word for you who brashly announce, ‘Today–at the latest, tomorrow–we’re off to such and such a city for the year. We’re going to start a business and make a lot of money.’ You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.'” James 4, Msg

In Oklahoma, where I grew up, this sentence was translated…”Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, we’ll do it!” (With a bit of an accent applied.)

Pastor James continues to warn us about…ourselves. “As it is, you are full of your grandiose selves. All such vaunting self-importance is evil. In fact, if you know the right thing to do and don’t do it, that, for you, IS evil.” James 4, Msg

How do we know? If you are worrying beyond concern about tomorrow and the next days ahead…then you are probably on the edge of being full of yourself…like me…who thinks that I can take care of myself better than God, or at the very least, I need to help God out at times with my plans, purposes, provisions, protection and care for me. Oops, wait a minute. God’s plan is best and most excellent…even perfect. So why would I trust myself and my own plans…and THEN ask God to bless my mediocrity?

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.” Matthew 6:25-34

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

See, it is so easy to be full of ourselves. Take Jesus advice, “Don’t worry about tomorrow…” (Matt 6) Take one day at a time. Pray expectantly to God, asking better questions, “Dear Lord, what do YOU want?” “What is YOUR plan, YOUR desire for me? Guide my thoughts, change my mind, light the path that you have for me today. In Jesus Name, Amen