“He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.” Proverbs 27:7

To read through the Bible continually and consistently is a powerful practice. This gives the Lord opportunity to impress me with a verse, insight or conviction in each morning’s reading. For instance, recently the verse listed above struck me: “He who is full loathes honey, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.”

As I thought on this, the Lord said to me, “What are you full of?” I had to answer, “Plans, schedules, projects, worries and fears.” The Spirit then helped me to see that I need to empty myself of these and allow Him to fill me instead with wisdom, submission, obedience and the fruit of the Spirit.

One way of emptying myself is to list in my journal all my plans, schedules, projects, worries and fears, then put them into the Lord’s hands by confession, prayer and surrender. I must let Him carry these; they are beyond my control anyway!

When I have done that, I can be ready for what the Lord has for me today. Every “bitter” happening can become sweet as I trust the Lord to work it out for good rather than getting upset because “my plans” were disturbed.

As with every other aspect of our walk with Jesus, the practice of putting all in the Lord’s powerful and proficient hands is a growing one. To help the process, I am putting a sign up on our refrigerator: “What are you full of?” This reminds me to put things in the Lord’s hands and be filled with His Spirit instead.

Prayer: “Lord, help me to pour out to you all that occupies my mind, my heart, my soul; then I pray that you will fill me with your Spirit so I can serve you well today, bringing joy to your heart.”