Healthy Risk (1)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NLT)

Many of us, when we were active in addiction, took risks which were unhealthy and a number of us are living with the consequences of those harmful risks.  However, there are healthy risks that can be taken to enable us to move forward into a secure way of living.  Someone has said, “Risks must be taken because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.  The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn, feel, change, grow, love, live.  He’s a slave and has forfeited freedom.”

Taking risks - what's healthy?  What's unhealthy? When should I take a risk?  When should I avoid it?  When life changing decisions need to be made we may be asked to take a risk of faith.  That is, to believe that there is a loving God who is close to us and wants to live in relationship with us so that we may experience a full and satisfying life.  God promises us many things about how He will bless us as we live according to His principles for life.  We take a risk if we choose God’s way over our own familiar way because that often requires us to wait or to let God give us something different than what we’ve previously known or expected. 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT)

We’ve tried temporary solutions that ended in dissatisfaction and pain. God wants to build solid and enduring principles into our lives.  This is new and unknown to us.  Is this kind of trust and faith in a loving God a risk?  Of course, but failing to step out in faith is to risk missing real life. 

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. (Psalm 143:8 NLT)

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