Counsels on Wellness

Counsel #11 — God—not Self!

Picture: Counsel #11 — God—not Self! CWe 13.1

The more we entrust every aspect of our lives to God — our sense of self, our well-being and safety, our joy, our understanding, and our ultimate salvation — and the less we rely on our own limited perspectives apart from His guidance, the deeper and more satisfying our connection with Him becomes. CWe 13.2

Salvation, the most fundamental aspect of our relationship with God, is a gift freely offered by God’s grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ. This understanding informs us about how we should approach every other area of our lives. CWe 13.3

When we try to build our identity on our accomplishments, intelligence, our looks, or what others think of us, we’re building on shaky ground. But when our identity is rooted in Christ, in the knowledge that we are loved and valued by God, we find a secure and unshakeable relationship of trust.^[12] CWe 13.4

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8, 9 NKJV CWe 13.5

“We can do nothing, absolutely nothing, to commend ourselves to divine favor. We must not trust at all to ourselves nor to our good works; but when as erring, sinful beings we come to Christ, we may find rest in His love.” Ellen White in Selected Messages , bk. 1, p. 353 CWe 13.6

Reflect: What areas of your life are you holding back from God? What would it look like to fully trust Him with your well-being and happiness? CWe 13.7