Plead Less, Claim More

By: Katie Naff

When my husband and I were dating, we went through a book together entitled The Principles of Spiritual Growth. It's an older book, not very attractive- but filled with good truths. There was a section in there that revolutionized my thinking. I summarize it with this phrase, "Plead Less, Claim More." I often found myself begging God for things He has already spelled out for me in His word. "God, I'm scared!" "God, that person hurt me!"

This is not to say that I don't pour my heart out to God, but rather, instead of spending all my time concentrating on my feelings, I realized that God has already provided the answers to my problems. I just needed to get up and claim the promises found in His Word (which contains everything I need) and rest in Him.

Are you feeling scared? God is watching over you! Are you feeling alone? God is with you! Are you feeling inadequate? God will enable you for His purposes! Are you feeling hurt? Christ weeps with you! And the list goes on.

God has been re-iterating this concept to me this month, telling me to get up, let go of the life lived by untrustworthy emotions, and grasp tightly to the precious truths of the Word that are strong enough to carry me through any storm.

(P.S. I highly recommend the little book entitled God's Promises for Your Every Need. It is straight scripture, organized by topics such as "Fear," "Death," etc. It is nice to be able to find the promises you're looking for very quickly!)