Let go. Let God have it. He knows what He’s doing. Even though you don’t, He’s challenging you to trust Him.
When you do, His will, which is better than your way, will unfold.
Resist worry. Say no to anxiety. Choose faith and confidence in the God that never fails.
Those are the words of wisdom God deposited in me that I’m passing along to you.
You see, I had to repent today.
I confess.
I got off track.
I always ask God to search my heart and forgive me for any transgressions. This morning, though, there was something I specifically knew I had to get right.
Yesterday started out well enough.
But then, last night, after praying about a situation, instead of leaving it in the hands of God, I started obsessing over it.
I wondered what I could do to change it and expedite the process of working it out.
You know how it is when you go into fix-it mode, right?
That was me.
My little wheels were just turning.
Earlier in the day, there were a series of small events that culminated in a grand emotional shift.
What occurred wasn’t even a big deal. Just a few aggravations that, before going to bed, I let get under my skin.
I started out the right way by praying about it.
While I was dealing with it, I kept a good attitude and committed it to the care of the Lord.
I carried it to Him with the express purpose of not letting it get the best of me. I laid it at His feet and put it on the altar.
What happened?
After I came through it, I let the enemy start whispering in my ear. He so craftily pointed out all the reasons why it needed to change—not now—right now.
Have you ever dealt with something and then got really upset after you looked back on it?
Why do we do that?
We handle it and then work ourselves up dissecting every little thing about what happened in the recent or distant past.
It’s kind of ridiculous, but most of us get caught in this trap.
I let Satan lead me right into that snare. I did all that seeking God, only to let myself grow frustrated. Negative thoughts and feelings grew quickly. By the time I went to bed, I was consumed with this not-even-that-serious situation.
Silly me.
I know better than to let impatience and aggravation get the best of me.
I had just said in yesterday's devotional, "God doesn't want any of us to let things make us hysterical, frenzied and anxiety-ridden. But we must be willing to rest in the comfort of God’s word. Instead of giving into unpredictable emotions, adopting a defeated mindset, and agreeing with the enemy when he tells you your world is about to utterly collapse, talk to yourself."
Instead of talking to myself and speaking the word, I let my Chief Adversary talk to me and speak against the word.
For a while, I couldn’t even sleep. It was 2:30 a.m. and I was up trying to mentally solve the very thing I supposedly put in God’s hands hours ago! I let the enemy get inside my head.
You know what finally helped me rest? I heard the Holy Spirit speak to me and say, “Give it to me and go to sleep.”
I dropped off.
When I woke up early this morning, feeling delirious and terrible, the Lord chastised me through His word. He reminded me that He is God and He is in control—not me. I can’t give Him something beyond my control and then take it back because He’s not moving fast enough in my opinion.
I’m either going to figure it out, or let Him work it out. I can’t do both. If I turn it over to the Lord, I have to leave it right there and refuse to pick it up again.
Who am I helping with my transparency?
Friend, I received my chastening and thanked the Lord for refocusing me. I’m back on track now.
As Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them who are trained by it.”
Reflecting upon my moment of wavering, the Lord gave me a thought, which is this: if you put it on the altar, let God alter it—not you.
In the Bible, the altar was a place of sacrifice or slaughter. Anything placed there was offered up to the Lord. It belonged to Him.
So then, when we take our worries and cares, and put them on the altar, in essence, we give them up. They no longer belong to us. They are out of our control. We voluntarily relinquish any authority we might assume and submit to God’s will.
What do you need to place on the altar and let God alter?
Trusting in the Lord means we accept that we don't know what the future holds. We realize that we have no control over tomorrow. Yet we remain full of faith in the sovereignty and power of God to accomplish His perfect will in and through us.
Remember what else I said yesterday?
"You have to realize that life isn’t always predictable. You cannot plan for every moment. Even when you do, things often don’t go according to that plan."
But God always has a plan. It’s just that it greatly differs from our own.
Just as He told me, I am now telling you: give everything over to Him.
Everything.
To remind you to do this, I'm sharing my cup of inspiration I've been sipping on with you today. I pray it ministers to you as well.
It is found in 1 Peter 5:7 NIV and says, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."
When you drink down the contents of this shared cup, you'll be reminded that you can't control what happens in life, but the God of the universe is in control of your life.
And He will take care of you and me.
All that is required of us is that we have faith in God and surrender to His will, knowing that His way is best.
Now let's pray together.
God, I want Your will, so I willingly give up my way. Even though I don’t fully understand Your plan, I trust that You have an amazing one for my life. Today, I totally surrender and cast every single one of my cares upon You. Thank You in advance for the great things You have already done! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
