Who is at Your Core?

Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. ~ Psalm 40:4

It was a year ago that I learned that a "trust," as used in this verse, is a core, center, or security. Do you know what happens when you don't have God as your core? Things begin to pick away at you, at your physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health. Suddenly the things that used to roll off your back now prick you all the way down. It's caused by a lack of time and trust.

The Bible calls us to give our first portion--the first tenth--back to God. Most people only equate that with money, but I think that it's time, also. Did you know that if your waking hours are from 6am to 10pm, a total of 16 hours, then ten percent is 96 minutes, or about an hour and a half. I've noticed in my life that when I don't spend regular, dedicated time with God first thing in the morning, the rest of my day doesn't seem quite right and I tend to struggle more. Can you afford to not spend your first 96 minutes with God?

The other part of our struggling is out of a lack of trust. It's not that we don't have it, but it's where we've put it. This verse says that the blessed man makes the Lord his trust. Those who look to false gods, such as money, work, relationships, or other things, do not have peace and rest in their heart because they no longer have God at their core. And that's what it all boils down to: Who is at your core? What are you dependent upon to get you through? Let me assure you, if you are waiting for your job, your marriage, your family, or even your hobbies to complete you and fill you up, you're never going to get there. Those things may be a part of you, but if God is not your core, those things will begin to disappear because they were never meant to support you.

Take a few minutes and examine your life. If you are struggling in any one or more of these areas--physically, mentally, spiritually, or emotionally--perhaps you've moved God out of the center and put something else at the core. Ask God to reveal it to you so that you can give God His rightful place back in the center of your life.