What brought about your current circumstances? Have you ever really thought hard about it?

Consider your job, your finances, your health, your relationships. Do you ever wonder what brought about the conditions of each area? How much of it was God? How much of it was you, or someone you know?

"Psalm 37:23 says, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." If God orders our steps, then we can be certain that He has our best interest at heart. Some areas where He leads us may not always be pleasant, but it's all good, and will have a good ending.

Now, notice Psalm 37:23 says, "Our steps are ordered." Even though He orders our steps, are we following through? Many times we really have to listen for God's voice. He rarely screams at us. He usually speaks in a still small voice that we can easily overlook. He also can say something through another person. It those instances, when we hear what's being spoken, we know it's God because it catches us off guard and hits us like a ton of bricks!

Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to man, but it's end is the way of death." This is the voice of the flesh, and it always screams at us, begging us to give it what it wants. It's completely selfish and usually does no one else any good at all unless it can get something out of it too.

Jesus said, “Whatsoever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them and you shall have them” (Mark 11:24). This is the law of attraction. Whether you are following through with what God has ordered, or whether you are obeying the voice of the flesh, you will attract certain circumstances that may be either good or bad for your life.

The conditions you are currently in are not by accident. Probably just like you, I have had some real tough times in my past and made excuses and cast blame on God and other people. I always played the role of the victim and rendered myself completely helpless in many situations.

One day it hit me when my pastor said something in a sermon. It caused me to finally admit to myself that I had made some bad decisions by obeying the voice of the flesh instead of listening to what God what saying. I don’t even remember what my pastor said, but I know God used him to speak to me that day.

It was only until I took full responsibility for my circumstances, is when positive change came about. I then became empowered and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Yes, I definitely made some bad decisions, but was eventually able to get things straightened out. It is a fact that good judgment comes from wisdom, and wisdom comes from having poor judgment.

I challenge you to take an inventory of your life and look for those times when you may have obeyed your flesh rather than God. Let down your pride and ask yourself, "How much of that is my own fault?" You might be surprised and discover new strength and power.