What is your hope in? Is it in yourself or is it in Christ? Are you one to try to uphold everything on your shoulders and feel that if you were to say no to something or not do it, your whole world will come crashing down around you?
Do you have or have you ever been around a young child who says to his mother, ‘No, me do it, mommy, me do it.” This interaction reminds me of myself often. So badly I want the control. I want to take care of everything, so I know it is done the way I want it to be done. But here is the thing: nothing is truly in my control. When a child does this, he thinks he is in control, but his mother is still right there with a game plan on how to save or help the young child from inevitably spilling or making a mistake. The thing is, the Lord is different from this mother. He has absolute control over it all.
Because God is in control, you do not have to feel like you have to take care of everything. He has it all in his hands. Here is another kicker. You can say “No”. It is so freeing and stress-relieving not to overwhelm our schedules. You do not have to do everything. It is really hard not to want to, especially if everything is a good thing you desire to do. But you cannot do everything, and that is a good thing. We are meant to rest and rest well in the Lord. It is necessary to have moments of downtime and open time in our schedule to take the opportunities to host people in our homes and spend time in the community. We are built for that, not these rat race lives we have made, where every commitment is now a burden and a chain.
The Lord holds all things
I have learned (am continually learning) that I have to rely on the Lord for all things. I cannot rely on myself to muster up the energy or willpower to strive for my goals, desires, and success. To bring about the plans, “I” have so arranged for my life. For it is not I who has accomplished these things but Christ working through me. The Lord is the one who has paved the way and carried me on the path. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9, ESV.) Nor can I take pride in any material item obtained or milestone accomplished. Apart from Christ, I can do nothing (John 15:5).
Additionally, God is the provider of all things. John the Baptist states in John 3:27, “A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven.” Therefore, I can only boast in the Lord. Our belongings, rest, and energy are all ordained by the Lord. Every good and perfect gift is from above. God commands our breath, our sleep, and our waking. He provides food, clothing, housing, opportunities, wealth, and wisdom. Not only does this take a major weight and burden off us, but it also places hope in our hearts. True hope that is re-established in its rightful place.
God is with us!
We can fix our gaze on our trustworthy Father, knowing that his will be done and that it is for our good and His glory. In times of calamity, we do not have to fear because our God is with us! It is not for our destruction but to grow and transform us to be more like him, which is sanctification.
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. “7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” (2 Corinthians 4:7-11, ESV.)
Let me just restate a part of that verse one more time, “the surpassing power belongs to God and not us.” He is worthy to be praised. All power and honor and glory belong to him alone. He is creator and we are his creation. Boy, does that get you on fire or what?!
I pray that you already know these truths and rejoice in them. Maybe you know them already, but like me, you are prone to wonder and need constant reminders. If this is brand new to you, I praise God for leading you to it. I encourage you to read more of His word and trust wholly in Him alone.
Praise You, Lord!
Lord, thank you so much that I do not hold my life in my small, frail hands, but you uphold my life in your righteous right hand. I do not have to fear what may come my way; I only have to gaze upon you. Thank you for giving us hope in Christ alone. Lord, please strengthen us to let go and hold onto you. To have such a deep desire to know you, your character, and your word above all else. Help us to treasure Christ. I pray for any hearts that have been softening to be open to you, Father, if it is your will. Please help us to rely entirely on you. Thank you, Lord. To you all glory and honor forevermore. Amen!
If you liked this post, you might also enjoy this one 🙂 https://wonderfullymade-kmk.com/what-causes-us-to-be-afraid/