Do you ever feel overwhelmed with situations in your life??
I know that I do. Sometimes it's my kids, it's my job, my marriage and even my finances, and with the way things are going right now, maybe its health or food concerns.
I notice that during those times I tend to take over the control, and most often I lose control. I panic and think the worst, instead of keeping my eyes focused on the Lord, the one who knows the plan before it happens. Most of the time we think, “I can handle this.” When really we can’t and the stress and anxiety creep in.
We trust him with most everything but we always feel the need to step in and "help."
For most of us the struggle is how to deal with the COVID-19 scare? Are you panicking about food or toilet paper(I still don't understand this LoL!) or maybe it's your child, your parent or husband who has a compromised immune system and you don't want them to end up sick. Are you seeking God in all of this?
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
(Psalms 46:1 NLT)
How much are we taking these worries and troubles onto our own shoulders? I know I do.
I want you to know, your feelings are ok and your fears are valid. You are allowed to feel scared or worried. But don’t let them send you into a panic. We have to know we have a source of power that can overcome all of it. We have to trust that he, our heavenly father, our comforter, our deliverer, has a plan.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; (Proverbs 3:5 NIV)
Most of the time what we understand to be going on is the complete opposite to what the Lord has planned. We are actually getting in the way. We don't see the little things already coming into play, we don't see God moving or moving fast enough.
I want you to stop what you are doing right now. Have you thought that maybe this could be a purposeful interruption or a divine intervention? How often have you been able to truly focus on him? Spending time in his word, worshipping him not only when it's Sunday service time? How often have you been able to spend uninterrupted time with your family? Or when was the last time you sat down and just rested?
I’m sure the answers to those questions are alot like mine, either not enough or it’s been awhile.
Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart. Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found. Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word. Some manuscripts read in your ways. Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you. Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good. I long to obey your commandments!
Renew my life with your goodness.
(Psalms 119: 33-40)
There are so many different times that I can think of when I chose to take over. Or times I let the chaos take hold. I remember asking the Lord why he wasn't helping or why he wasn't intervening. But in reality, how could he? I left him no room or opportunity to help or even do I even have the ability to hear him guiding me. When the storm is raging all we tend to hear is the wind, rain and thunder, we don't hear that still small voice. You see we have to choose to hear it. We have to choose to read his word, and spend time with him in quiet and in worship. He is not a God of chaos or fear. He is God of peace and of order.
So declare today that you trust him during this time of chaos. Let Jesus take the wheel!
Be willing to sit with him and allow him into your space. He will give you peace and rest.
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
(Matt 11:28-30)
We will get through this together!