The goal for all of us is to be able to rest in the acceptance and assurance of Christ. To be able to chill in his love for us. Not to question it or doubt it at all. In Edwards’ 26th resolution he lets us know what he needs to do to stay assured.

Resolved, To cast away such things as I find do abate my assurance.

All kinds of things can chip away at our sense of assurance. Doubt, worry, fear, anxiety, circumstances, misconceptions and many other things. The goal here is not to identify each individual thing that detracts from our sense of assurance. I think we probably all have to start with a question…

Do I feel assured of God’s love for me?

Some of us may need to spend some time there. The second question to look at would be…

What tends to make me doubt how much God loves me?

For me fear has got to be the main answer. I allow my mind to rationalize different fears that lead me to conclude that God is less than thrilled with me. One of the main things I do to cast that fear away is share it with those closest to me. They help me to see the negative thought pattern and point me back in the right direction. I also try to spend regular time with God where I seek to listen to him and what he may be saying.

Do you feel assured? What makes you doubt? How do you cast away those doubts so that you can live in assurance?