Backstory: Recent Sunday school question: Where do we find the proper balance between trusting God and making wise plans for our future?
Balance is a topic that is often discussed today. Given the fast pace and hectic schedules that many people find themselves juggling, obtaining balance in our lives seems to be a challenge for most people today.
Balance defined: an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady or a condition in which two different elements are equal or in the correct proportions.
Today I want us to use scripture to show how God provides solutions for balanced(upright and steady living
Grab your Bibles/ engage your Bible app on your phone or Ipad and let’s dig in!
Let’s review some scriptures that I believe can give us greater insight.
Scriptures on Balance:
Fairness/Business matters:
Leviticus 19:36 KJV
“You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah (measure a little over a bushel), and a just hin (one and a half gallons (5.7 liters): I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.”
Proverbs 16:11 KJV
A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work. (Honesty is God’s business)
Proverbs 11:1
A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.
Proverbs 20:23
Unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord, and false scales are not good.
Let’s look at some practical Balance examples……
Consider our daily food intake – The best eating plan model is not necessarily balancing meats with vegetables or healthy foods with fast food or sweets. What if you have hypertension or diabetes, it may not be a matter of trying to balance out how much of something you consume as much as it is whether you need it at all.
In fact some foods that may be deemed as healthy foods may not be best for your consumption if you a with vegetables but if you’re allergic, what may be healthy and acceptable for someone may not be beneficial for you. This also applies to drinking alcohol- not necessarily how many drinks I can or should have, but whether it’s beneficial to drink at all.
Paul speaks of this in 1Cor: 10:23. Perhaps you have heard someone justify indulgence in sweet treats by saying something like-If I indulge in sweet treats, all I need to do is wash it down with a diet drink to cancel out the sugar right? No! Maybe someone said this in jest, but this is the type of rationalizing the enemy will often use when we want to justify an unhealthy habit.
What about other areas of discipline? What about shopping balance. Just because something is on sale and has an excellent markdown doesn’t mean it was intended for you to buy it.
The enemy will deceive us when we are out of balance in our thinking.
That’s why it’s so important for the Biblical principle of Balance to govern our lives instead of working to balance the equation ourselves by adding a little here or taking away a little there.
Let’s look at a new principle of balance as outlined in scripture.
Primary text :
1 Peter 5:8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind-[calm and collected, to have good sense, good judgment, wisdom and level headed in times of stress]), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour.
1 Peter 5:8
New International Version
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Reiterate well balanced/temperate, sober- not likened to intoxication but calm collected, to have good sense, judgment, wisdom and level -headed in times of stress)
If we pause to let this scripture marinate in our understanding for a moment, we find a powerful revelation! According to this scripture, one of the ways we give opportunity for the enemy to seize upon us and devour us is when we are out of balance. Wow!
Remember we said today we would discuss balance from the standpoint of being upright and steady in our living. I believe our heart’s cry should be, “steady us, and straighten us up, Oh Lord.”
Balance as a Math example: Another thing to remember is that we can’t look at achieving this type of balance like we treat a mathematical equation. If we want the left and right side of the equation to be balanced, we much insert numbers(addends)on the left that will match the number to the right of the = sign. For instance, if the sum is 4 on the right side of the equation, then the left side will have to be 0+4; 1+3; or 2+2 This is not exactly how God’s kingdom scales/balance work.
Let’s look a bit more intensely as to how scripture presents a new principle on Balanced living:
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General guidance: Biblical Balance Principal
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness/ and all these things will be added to you.” ( The results of what results after the = sign or right side of the equation is not dependent upon what you can find to add up to the left side) All these things ( which refers to the things God knows you have need of is not dependent on whether you can work hard enough to earn them, buy them, or be good enough to deserve them, it is solely dependent upon Seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness which allows God to release what’s already set aside for you! Hallelujah! The Biblical principle on balance ultimately results not in our ability to juggle well or manage well, although these things are important, it’s about what God has already done to keep us steady and upright- The Cross-
You mean it’s not about learning how to manage time better, strategize, etc.?
No! We must merely transform our thinking to believe what God’s word say and walk accordingly
Romans 12:1-2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
It is in that moment when we can begin to see how scripture already reveals that Jesus balanced the scales!
Health and Wellness:
3 John 2
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. [ Being as healthy in our body is strong in spirit (NLT)]
1 Peter 5:7 New International Version
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
Matthew 11:28-30:
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
2 Timothy 1:7
For God gave us a spirit not of fear/ but of power and love and self-control.(sound mind)
In Righteous and Relationship w/ God:
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life./ No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Hebrews 11:6
New International Version
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Philippians 4:13
New International Version
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
In closing, remember Jesus was given to steady us and keep us upright/balanced when we yield in our obedience to God and choose to walk in holiness! No matter what situation you might be facing; whether it involves relationships, finances, health, wellness, attitude, addiction. The arms of Jesus balanced every situation on the Cross!
To Him be all Praise,
Angela
