The more overwhelmed I got in my efforts to not be stressed, the more discouraged I felt. I hated the part of me that needs to have a plan and know what is going on. I despised the part of me that had no discipline and would ask Spencer daily if he had heard anything about the interview that hadn't taken place yet (yep folks, this is me in freak-out mode!).
Thankfully, I have a very patient husband who lovingly helps me through my insecurity and fear of the unknown. And I have a God who knows every inch of my quivering heart, and He has promised not to forsake me for a second.
As I sat down for a much-needed quiet time tonight, I opened my devotional book to words of encouragement that soothed my soul and gave me hope for a future that is full of peace and anxiety-free even in the midst of the unknown.
1 Corinthians speaks of God's strength in our weakness, His wisdom in the midst of what appears to be foolish plans. 1 Corinthians 1: 25-31 "25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d]"
Major W. Ian Thomas writes in his book "The Indwelling Life of Christ":
"When it comes to the point of obedience to God's clear instructions, the Life of Jesus Christ within you makes human circumstances irrelevant; for to share His Life now as he once shared His Father's Life on earth is to know, as Jesus did, that Someone else is taking care of the consequences. What I am urging is simply that you become delightfully detached from the pressure of circumstance, so that it ceases to be the criterion in the decisions you make."
That is what I want!! I want to be so at rest and so confident in God's plan for us that I can be at rest in the midst of circumstance that could be stressful. No, this does not mean that we are to go about living our lives in a foolhardy manner, or making decisions for the sake of being "carefree." But it does mean that when God tells us to go that we go. It does mean that when He tells us to go, there may be risks involved. It may not look wise, secure, or comfortable to the world.
Romans 12:1-2 says, "12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
Do not conform to the pattern of this world. The life that God calls Christians to live will probably not be the American Dream. In fact, I would like to venture to say that it isn't the American Dream. There is much, much more to life than that.
So I pray that the next time that Spencer and I are faced with unknown, decisions, or a call from God that seems risky or uncomfortable, that my answer is, "Yes Lord, I trust You to provide for us, even when the answers are not all right in front of me."
I pray for you also, that you would experience the freedom that comes from letting go of the pressures of this world and resting in the Lord's plan for your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment