Today I’ve got a devotion running on Encouragement for Today titled “When Following Gets Hard.” Welcome, if you are visiting from there.
As I re-read my devotion in preparation for writing this blog post, I wondered what I was thinking when I titled it. I mean, really … when is following Jesus not hard?
This life that Jesus calls me to is completely opposite of how I would choose to act on my own. Well, I guess it’s not completely opposite. If someone made me a Boston Cream Pie I would be happy whether or not I was following Jesus. It’s really only in the hard things that following Jesus is hard (duh, right?) … which is about 90% of life for me. Let me give you some examples:
- It seems my natural reaction to being offended is to retaliate, usually in an “I’ll show you” sort of way.
- My natural reaction to having my decisions questioned is defensiveness.
- My natural reaction to being mistreated is to withdraw, and mentally plot a revenge … which of course, I’ll never exact. However, when reading the New Testament, I learn I’m accountable for my thoughts … so once again, I’m off course.
- And then there’s the whole fear thing … fear that I’ll fail, fear that I’ll look foolish, fear that it won’t be “perfect,” fear that I’ll offend someone. Fear makes me want to stop before I ever start.
If I’m ever going to follow Jesus fully, I’ve got to learn to deal with my initial reactions. I’ll be honest, I don’t have the strength within myself to do this. If left to myself and my “natural” instincts I would have given up long ago, and retreated into a safe world. But God’s got too much to do in this world for me to give up or give in to what’s easy, safe, comfortable and self-gratifying.
The only way to face the hard parts of life is by allowing God’s Spirit to dwell in me. But first I have to confess that I don’t have what it takes to be the woman God wants me to be. And between you and me, that took me years to admit. It took years of being a Christian and thinking I had enough self-control to get things “right.” The problem is it’s a bit like trying to keep a beach ball under water. You can only hold it down for so long and eventually it’s going to pop up. And with my natural responses, they pop up when I fall back into my self-controlling patterns.
The more I admit I’m a pauper (spiritually and emotionally) without God, the more His Spirit is able to work in my life. But that take a gut level honesty that’s hard to get to as well.
So I spend a lot of time praying something like this … God I can’t do this. I can’t forgive (or whatever the challenge is) like You want me to forgive in my own strength. I need Your strength right now.
Or I pray like this … God, I’m really afraid right now. I don’t think I can do this without You. I need Your peace and confidence because mine isn’t enough.
And can I just tell you how faithful our Father is???!!! 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” I’m living proof that God’s Spirit can change someone from the inside out. But I’ve got LOTS of changing left to do too.
Following God is really hard. Let me clarify that. It’s hard for some of us (especially the controlling types) if we are going to follow God fully. There’s just so much self-sacrificing that must happen and so much faith that is requires. And none of that comes naturally to me.
But there is a good side to all of this hard stuff. God is just waiting for me to admit it’s hard. And I imagine He kind of sighs in relief too, that He finally gets to step in and help.
I know some of you are facing really hard things today. We live in a broken world filled with broken people. And while I can’t even pretend to give you an easy answer, I can tell you with confidence that God’s Spirit in you makes a difference. Maybe your circumstances won’t change, but God can change you.
Thank you for joining me today. I’ll be praying for every comment today if you want to share anything.
In His love,
Glynnis
P.S. I’m happy to announce that Elise, posting a comment on September 7 at 10:56 a.m. is the winner (selected in a random number drawing) of Karen’s book, “A Life that Says Welcome” and the Target gift card. Elise, I’ll be sending you a personal email today. Thank you to everyone who entered!
Thank you, Glynnis – for this timely devotional
My heart is heavy and I know that something needs to give for God to really work in me. I am praying for Him to reveal to me everything that is in the way so that I can live fully for Him! Thank you for offering to pray along with me!
Love,
Nicci
All I can say is wow! God loves me so much he has you write this devotional. Why, becausw it addresses what I already know but need reiterated. Whats more is that another woman admits to the same issues.
Boy do I need this today! I have just flown completely off the handle and attacked someone before listening to his explanation. So, I have to get someone else to come and do the word as he now refuses and I have to go and apologize.
It is so easy to react in your old way before you stop and think. I think I am still trying to do it on my own far to many times
Thanks for the devotion today. Thank-you also for your honesty Like some of the other comments, I needed your devotion today
I am currently seeing areas in my life that I needed to surrender to God-again! The fear and anxiety of letting go of the control can be overwhelming at times for me. But being reminded of whom I am releasing control to his awesome! The God of the universe, who set this world in motion, loves me enough to send His son so I can have fellowship with him. He also provides the Holy Spirit to guide me! Thanks again
From one recovering Control Addict to another thank you.
Most of the time it’s fear that keeps me from moving ahead and fully trusting God, so thanks for the great reminder!
Great devo Glynnis! Everything the Lord has been showing me in my quiet times this summer is about endurance…that it is the mark of a disciple. Endurance is hard…painful. Only by His grace and strength.
“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it. Prone to leave the One I love.”
This pauper needs Him to hold me tight!
Psalm 16:2 ~ “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”
Great encouragement through your honesty and His truth!
Hugs,
Sharon
Truer words have never been spoken. I, too, came to the point of admitting that my “natural tendencies” are NOT the ones I should be following. And I can no longer blame this on having been brought up with poor examples of how to behave, how to have self-control, how to be unselfish, etc. etc. because I have the PERFECT example in Jesus and I just have to read the Bible to learn what I need to learn. Then I ask for His help, and He is ever faithful in providing it. Thank you for your obedience, Glynnis.
Right on and write on! So love reading your posts. This one hit home…I always have trouble keeping my mitts off the controls and turning ALL over to God.
I too have that controlling nature & I could have written your 3 examples. Because of this I find myself in a very hard place right now. I know I need to change & I cannot do it in my own strength. So glad that He is here to help me get through this. Thank you for your prayers. They are much appreciated
Amen! What an amazing post. Clearly irneispd by the Holy Spirit. God’s purpose for you is, clearly, writing and I’m thankful God put your blog in my path. It has been such a blessing to read, and listen to the Lord as He speaks through you. Thank you for being faithful in following HIS plan and purpose for your life. Laura
I love how our God works! This devo, along with the message for today in Jesus Calling, is really speaking to my heart. I too have been struggling with giving some things to the Lord, and wondering why my burdens have been so heavy lately. Well, I do know it’s because I haven’t fully given them to Him, and trusted Him to work on my behalf. Thanks for the great reminder that He is happy to step in and help when we finally let go.
God is asking me to forgive horrendous things and i can deal with that if He leaves me alone on my corner of the world but He’s calling me to interact with the same folks who made my life a living hell. I have to give up family and be a member of a new one. Not to happy about it especially since its not my fault i have to be a member of this family its the peoples who sinned before i got here. And they make me feel like a second class citzen. it truly sucks But to make peace is what He is calling me to . Ive got to admit a horrendous sin i committed and humble myself and alll the work and effort my folks spent on giving me the kind of life i had hoped is down the tubes. sometimes i think GOd loves certain people more than others i wonder. And I wonder what in the WORLD did God have in mind when He let me be born, i mean for real. But I have to believe He has a reason even if it makes me angry sometimes. so whatever you have to do what you need to do and i dont want anymore tragdies so if someone has gotta be the lamb i suppose that my job in the miserable family perhaps my kids will have a better time then i did. if i have them . thanks.
Alli, I feel your pain and know it is not from God, He sent His only son Jesus to die for all our sin, pain, regreats, anger, sickness,and so much more Jesus took it all on the cross for us so we can live. He defeated the devil … ” For God did not give us a the spirit of fear, but of power and of Love, and of sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 We have to draw on His strength every Second, every minute, of everyday He gives us on this earth and not put our trust in people because they will let us down.Draw near to HIM and let Him take your pain.. you have to give it all to HIM and let go of ALL your past and stop living it and move forward to the new life he has for you. I will keep you in my prayers .. and remember God Loves Us No Matter What and You can only change you .. Pray for the others and leave them in His hands <3
Dear Alli –
My heart is aching for the pain you obviously have endured! I wish I could give you a reassuring hug right now! Instead, I offer this prayer:
Dear Lord, thank you for Alli’s honesty, but even more for her willingness to follow where You are leading her. Thank You for guiding her through the trials she already has endured, and thank You for promising never to leave her nor forsake her. Please be her ever-present help. Please help her to put one foot in front of the other and with every step, help her to TRUST that You truly do work ALL things for good for those who love You, who are called according to Your purpose. Thank You for Your words in John 10:10 that tell us Your purpose is to give life in all its fullness. Please help Alli give Your light and love to her family, and as she does, help her and her family to see and know Your redeeming love! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Good Morning, Thank you for your post today ” When is following Jesus Easy” This really hits home with me because I am the only beliver in my home and about 75% of the people around me. So my days are filled with preparing myself for my day with God as my leader because I know I can not do this alone. I just turned 50 this past May and I am disabled, I went back to school last year to get me High schol deploma becaue I did not Graduate and this is my first step to where God is leading me. I went to a disability Kaucuse two years ago and it really opened my eyes, when you become disabled and can not do the work you where doing they tell you to sign up for disability. I was in my 30′s and it took me 2 years before I signed up because I did not want to be disabled. I was a working wife, mom with a family I liked working and being around people, so I signed up it took 6 years to get it and in that time I gave up on me. My doctor at the time had me on so many pain medications I layed around and gained weight and my health ishues began. I know there is a GOD because going through all of this, I had not yet turned my life over to GOD, I knew there was a GOD but I was in why me, I had no selfworth I was just going through the mostions of life, then life happened and my girlfrien ask me to go to Church with her and my journey with God began. No its not easy some days are harder than other BUT I KNOW WITH GODS HELP I WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE IN THOSE LIFES AROUND ME. I will graduate this school year so excited and then off to what ever God has plannned for me next. Words of Wisdom: Get up every morning and start your day with GOD, spend time with Him, talk to him all day long, Listen for His direction for your day, don’t tell Him what you are going to do .. Let Him guild you on the steps He has already paved for you. Never be to BUSY for God because He is never to busy for us.. The people God has put in our path are there for a reason STOP pushing them away, LOVE, LAUGH, LIVE… Find the GOOD in everyone around you and lift them up … I can only change ME and how I treat others and the words that flow out of my mouth, and if I can not LOOK in the mirror and LOVE that person LOOKING back at me .. then how can I love those God has put in my life. Prayer is how we talk to God.. if you do not spend time in prayer .. How can God know you <3 Have a Blessed Day <3
Love this post!
Thanks for the encouragement to admit to myself more of my shortcomings and for the help in recognizing them so that God can take charge. My initial reactions are much like yours and I’m not sure I recognized the sin.
But God is so faithful!
I dealt with an unforgiving heart for several years, wanting to forgive, willing to forgive, praying that by an act of my will I did forgive, but picking it back up again. God has delivered me, and I am so grateful to let go of that burden.
He is faithful to help us recognize our spiritual poverty, pick us up, and set us straight!
Thanks for your transparency! It helps me to be honest with myself and God!
Thank you, Glynnis, I really needed this today. God has been dealing with me a lot lately about my lack of complete following, as I too have dealt with the need for control over my life for a long time. Over the last few months I received a peace from Him over one particular area of my life–fertility and my desire for a second child, that isn’t coming easily. When I finally gave this area to Him, He gave me a peace I hadn’t known in a long time with a particular treatment option, with the knowledge that no matter what we did, he was in control of any little “blessings” that resulted. After one try, the home test was positive…but I miscarried just shy of 5 weeks along. I know that God allows these things to happen for a reason, and though it probably isn’t only because of my need to trust Him more and give Him control, He is definitely using this expereince to bring me closer to Him. It seems I am re-learning to fully trust God and Christ as my foundation and to follow Him in actions in addition to the “mental, inside” trust (prayers, Bible reading, etc). Sermons lately have discussed the wise and foolish builders (I know that my foundation must be firm to withstand life’s storms-like this miscarriage), and God’s bringing life back to “dry bones.” Your devotional today is just another reminder that faithful following is about a constant relationship and putting actions with it, and that does not come naturally. Thank you for your promised prayers. I pray that you and all the ladies commenting today are blessed with His peace, and other fruits of the Spirit, as we continue our daily walk.
I continue to be blessed by your gut honesty. It’s hard to be so real with even ourselves, admitting where we fall short. We would like to tell ourselves that it’s not so bad, these little things are not really sins. But I am sure that they are black and white to God!
We have conflict in leadership in our women’s inner healing class at our church. I have been praying for God to reveal my heart to me so that anything deceitful will be revealed. It’s hard to pray that because I want to believe that I am seeing clearly! But most of all I want God’s truth and for His Spirit to work in our group – for His perfect will, not mine or the other leaders. I also don’t want to walk in timidity which is my usual response. Your prayers would be appreciated Glynnis, and thanks so much for your devotional and post.
“I want to be a normal Christian, and I don’t want to preach anymore.” this is what I old my husband on last night. I ministered at my brother’s church where he pastors, and miracles, signs and wonders were performed, but I couldn’t rejoice over them because one miracle didn’t take place because of unbelief of a child’s mother. Then my brother corrected me at lunch for one mistake I made in my preaching so I magnified it and once again my balloon deflated. I wanted to quit. But then I read your devotional. Following Jesus is hard. Carrying his word is hard. But I rest in the fact that I can look to Jesus and all he suffered. How his hometown had only a few miracles performed because of their unbelief. I won’t quit as I know the souls that are at stake if I do. Please pray that I become Jesus shadow and truly follow him especially in the hard times.
Thank you for this devotion, it touched me. I’m on the mission field the second year now and it’s not easy. This time here far away from home has really put me in a place where I realize more than ever what my weaknesses are…:) I needed this devotion to encourage me to carry on and trust God alone.
I can’t believe how timely this was for me. I was walking into my office ready for a meltdown because another day without our company truck that our total living comes from. Six weeks in the shop, and another day. I told God I can’t take this stress and worry anymore, I need a sobbing ugly crying fit to make me feel better. But instead I opened my e-mail and there staring me in the face was my quiet and not fit throwing answer. Praise God for His love and concern for our problems. To follow Him, I must trust Him to know what is the right thing for us.
Glynnis-
I always enjoy reading the words on your heart. My story stinks, but God has been so fragrant in his care for me. In 2/2010, my pastor-husband-father of my kids informed me that he had been in a 2 1/2 year affair with “a friend”. Naturally angered and shcoked, I just shut down. After a year and a half of waiting for him to place himself under accountability, attend counseling, or bring himself under the guide of a pastor (which he did none of these), I filed for divorce & it was finalized in April of this year. I have poured myself out to the lord, found support groups, cried through pages of scriptures, listened to countless sermons by internet…and am in the process of healing, just like layers of the sweet dessert, baklava. BUT there are still times when being a single-mom, paying the mortgage he left me with, shuttling the kids around, entertaining the kids, supporting my ailing father, and trying to maintain a growing spiritual life in Christ IS SO VERY HARD, (all the while the ex is off with a new love interest and sees the children only once a month). Taking up our crosses to follow Jesus is THE hardest thing we will ever be called to do or live out. But ever so slowly and firmly, I am learning “So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” I Corinthians 4:18. Thank God!
Dear one – my heart aches at the betrayal you have faced, and the hardship you currently face every day. Having trust broken is the hardest thing to overcome, especially by one so close. What comforts me is knowing Jesus faced a similar betrayal by one close. So He understands your pain. May His peace fill your heart.
I hope you know you are chosen, cherished and fought for by One who will NEVER betray you.
I feel so very bad for you…I found out my husband was having an affair earlier this summer and I just moved out this week as he was not willing to break off the affair or work on our marriage. I can’t imagine how hard it is to be doing what you are with kids! (our kids are in college). You’ve probably discovered this, but at the times I could hardly think, let alone concentrate, I read the Psalms. The expressed my feelings and my hope…and I read somewhere recently that David wrote most of his Psalms during very dark times in his life, and here they are helping us thousands of years later, showing that good does come out of bad.
God bless you and your family!
Thank you so much for your devotion. I pray for God to take care of my grandchildren, to be there for them always, and for His perfect will to be done in their lives. I KNOW all things can be done through Him. I pray for my faith to be strong enough to realize this, so that I can hand my fears to my Lord and enjoy the life he has given me.
Thank you for sharing these thoughts Glynnis, I relate so much to the truths you communicated. And I love what Amber wrote above: faithful following.
I am STILL struggling with my fleshly reluctance to put in the time to write the book GOD called me to write. When I first started writing in earnest, I sent you some sample chapters several months ago. Yet, I’ve let confusion over how to format this mother/daughter story stymie me. How can I live in such disobedience???
Praise be to GOD, HE is ever patient with me. Please pray that I will embrace this task with joy and complete what He has started in me. I can’t stand the thought of continually disappointing Him. Shalom dear one~
Letting go of a child to college this week!!! Such a grace of emotions! Whew! The devotional reminds me of the old hymn, “I have decided to follow Jesus…no turning back…” Thanks, this was timely.
I thank God for using you for this devo this morning. I just sat reading just awed by His aqnswering and elaborating on my pray to recommit and rededicate my will and ways over to Himk. I also prayed this morning for Him to reveal areas of my life that I was controlling and didnt trust Him to take care of it. I too had to be reminded to stop worrying, comparing myself and just Follow Him and he will lead me out of familiar, comfortable and convenience.
Please help me to pray for my 22 y/o 0ld daughter who has a 2 month old baby and is struggling with alcohol, drugs, and low self esteem
Thank you for this message today. I am on Staff at our Church. I work and serve, serve and work. And sometimes, honestly, with all the details….it becomes extremely muddy. I find myself griping and complaining and most definitely NOT serving with my heart. It’s easy to serve with my mouth and my hands but the heart?!? Soooo challenging. So thank you, as I needed to hear this today and be redirected to my prayer life with our amazing God! I know He called me out of my former job and into this position of Ministry. It was so clear at the time. I just need to realign my heart to His to regain some motivation for this journey. Sure wish it could come naturally! But I, like you, am a control freak and have to “make” myself do things and I most definitely do not have the strength to do it alone.
Thanks again for blessing me today with your words. May you be blessed!
Thank you once again, Glynnis for sharing what is in your heart. I often struggle when it comes to following God out of convenience, as you stated on the P31 blog. Just this morning, while I was in a small group bible study, a woman there who was feeling very heavy, just wanted to reach out to the group. She wanted to be surrounded by what she called ‘church folk’ but had a hard time connecting. There was a part of me, that felt as if I needed to help out since, I had been involved in Women’s Ministry and it would be the right thing to do. Then there was this part of me, who did not want to take on another person’s grief. So I am asking as you pray to for different one today, that you remember me. I find out it’s getting much harder to reach out to others, for fear that their struggles will become my very own.
I love your beach ball analogy! That is exactly how it feels! I intend to do the right thing so many times… but the beach ball inside……
MaryBeth
I, too, can think of some areas where God needs to have full control. Thank you for this timely devotion today and for the prayers.
Thank you soo much. I really neded this. I just been throufh a trial with my marriage and even though God will is being done. At times my heart troubles and it like I end up acting like I’m not trusting God andwant to take matters into my own hand.. but I know. His faithful and God salvation to my heart is here to save. I just need his light to go through the darkness and lies of satan he trying to put into my thoughs. But thank you for those prayers you posted with your devo. May God bless you.
Thankyou for this timely Devo. I am carrying a heavy burden concerning my almost 18 year old daughter. I am praying for the Lord to have His way. That my husband and I would have wisdom to discern Gods leading and obey Him in all He asks of Us. even in the really tough things. Please pray for my family and that my daughter would not be deceived by the enemy and her flesh.
God bless
Just in case anyone is looking for any furthur study into this topic: Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman is a wonderful study.Its focus is on the difference between being just a “fan” or a true follower of Christ.
http://www.notafan.com/
Oh, Glynnis, as a writer/control freak/rule follower, I can sooo relate to following God from behind my keyboard while the world is outside my office – following Him with all the self-control and goodness I can muster on my own – following Him through easy, clearly marked paths that don’t look or feel scary. But now that my family’s business has failed, our home is in danger of being taken from us, and my 8-year-old has developed anxiety/anger issues, the path has gotten muddier, my reactions have gotten unholier, and my illusion of depending on His strength has been annihilated. I need help! His help! I’m adopting your prayers as my own, and I ask that you would add my requests when you go to the Throne. Thanks.
The honesty of this is so humbling. I just heard a message along these same lines this weekend- the high cost of walking away-walking away from the cross and walking away from the world. One has a higher cost. I choose the way of the cross. For he who find his life in this world ultimately loses it. Yet he that loses his life, find true living in Christ. Thank you for this confirming Word.
I wish I could tell you just how timely this post was for me. I had a day yesterday where I was so frustrated because I want to follow Jesus and trust and let go of the control I think I have but I feel like I am surrounded by people I love who do not want to walk the same path and that has had me in tears all day. I want them to see what I see and I want them to follow Jesus in the same way I want to follow Him. I have been fearful today that I will lose some relationships as I choose to press ahead but I have to realize that it is worth it even if it is terribly sad.
Thank you, Glynnis, for both the devotional and the blog post. The mountain I have been climbing has been pretty steep lately, and I was feeling exhausted and discouraged last night and this morning. Your two posts were like nourishment for my soul.
Sometimes it is difficult for me to discern whether I am going on my own strength or the strength God has given me. I can usually tell in retro-spect but not always in the moment. I appreciate the example prayers you provided. I will give them a try!
So good to hear that I’m not the only one who thinks this “walk” is hard. These days I run into people who say things like “I love Him so much and am so thankful for all that He’s done, that I want to obey Him and its a pleasure to give it all to Him”…and yes I agree that I am so grateful for His grace towards me, but HONESTLY– its hard for me to “submit my rights to the One who gave them up for me”( as you said in the devotional this morning ) I so often feel as though I have a “right” to be angry, jealous, coveting…or whatever the case might be. When in fact its not at all about me, its all about Him….and to get that from my head to my heart is HARD! I appreciate your honesty–as we keep on keepn’ on!
Wonderful post, Glynnis….thanks. I need prayer for a painful health issue! Also, for daughter, single Mom, …her finances, needs a job, needs EX to be cooperative, son needs college help and healing of his and his Dad’s relationship.
Blessings; have prayed for those above.
Thank You for all the words speaking TRUTH, your devotional.. All the comments..some times following& loving God and Jesus & His Holy Spirit is just so hard..especially at the hard times..Faith I guess and KNOWING HE loves us no matter what..sometimes it is just keeping going.. Please Lord Jesus give all these women the strength to keep going..in your holy name thy will be done , not ours..
I am in a bad place right now. Whether it be unforgiveness toward others, or being envious or jealous of others. I seem to be running the gamut lately and I don’t want to live this way anymore. Thank you for this devotional and for your prayers.
Thank you for your timely devotional – it was just the reminder I needed today (and everyday!). I am so touched by your honesty. I pray often “more of you Lord, and less of me” in that I strive to be more like him, especially as a parent. I’m going for imperfect progress this year, and reading your writings is helping! Thanks so much!
Thank you. This struggle lives within me continually. I cried this morning as I began to read the devotion and sort of yelled at God “I don’t know how to do this. I keep going over the same ground.” and then you reminded me Pray. Pray. Pray all day. Thanks for praying for me also. I need God to break through this strong will of mine.
Hello
I am truly thankful for this post. I am in a trying place in my life. I have given up several different times due to the pain I have been in for almost two years. I am such a broken person, however I understand that God is in control. I have prayed and prayed for God to show me what is in my life that keeps me from connecting and following HIM completely. I honestly feel no connection with the Lord even though I trust that we have a relationship. Reading your post has sparked something in me to want to continue my journey with him. Thank you for posting something that keeps me at the father’s feet. Knowing that if I strive to follow HIM wholeheartedly He will take care of me.
Hi Sheree, I’m so glad you posted a comment today. Even great men and women of faith had times when they didn’t hear or sense the Lord’s presence. You are right to stand on the truth that you do have a relationship with God. Sometimes we are so worried that we will mistake our own voice for the Lord’s voice that we dismiss what He is trying to say to us. If I could gently encourage you in this area, I would suggest you ask the Lord to show you something, or reveal something to you – then listen and watch for His response. It could be even just an inclination in your heart – but trust that He answered. Then ask HIm something else … watch and wait … and the next time you’ll be just a bit more confident that you heard Him.
This is a process and we do get mixed up in it. But don’t worry about that. The key is believing He will answer you. Read James 1:5-7 to see what I mean.
Blessings, Glynnis
Just so true…We really can’t be godly without Him. But man the struggle continues. And we just keep fooling ourselves with our attempts at control. It kind of reminds me of a baby. You know they’re tired. But they are just screaming and wailing and flailing against that sleep. Such determined resistance. “No, no, no…I’m not going to sleep and you can’t make me!” Then finally, the battle is over, the force of sleep has won. They lie contented beautiful relaxed asleep. Isn’t that how we are when we finally give in to our Father. Sometimes exhausted, tear streaked…but finally at rest.
Thank you for this devotion. I can see I’ve come a long way in my controlling issues. But while reading this devotion God pointed out to me a work issue that I need to pray about. While I have been praying for this matter, I’ve not been praying in the way God wants me to pray…..for myself and the way He wants to control me instead of the way I want the matter controlled. Without taking the time to stop and read your devotion I may have missed a very good opportunity to once again hear the sweet words of my Heavenly Father.
wait a minute…did you just said ” IF we are going to follow God fully”? …well, show me somebody who managed to follow Him only half-way…because it’s kind of impossible to follow God if you don’t have His support and aid…but will He help knowing that someday you won’t listen to everything He has to say?
I have a very hard time giving up my control as well; I tend to get anxious when I don’t have concrete plans regarding all aspects of my future. I fret way too much about money, specifically worrying about how I’ll pay for necessities.
Earlier this summer my world was turned upside down when I found out my husband was cheating on me and didn’t want to break off the relationship or work on our marriage. After much prayer and talking with my pastor I made the decision to move out. This week I moved into my new apartment. I don’t have a job. The Christian newspaper I publish has barely been breaking even (I planned to devote more time to getting subscriptions and advertisers after my daughter left for college…well, I’m able to do that but didn’t plan to be responsible for all of my own bills at the same time!). Our kids are both at college out of state.
My future is anything BUT clear…but I feel the most profound sense of peace. This is hard…harder than anything I imagined I’d have to do. It would be so much easier to yell and scream at my husband and father-in-law (who had a huge role in this). It would be much easier to pretend things were “ok” and continue to live at home (I am in NO WAY judging women who do choose to stay in this situation; for me moving out was the right thing; for others staying might be the right thing). It would be so much easier to give up my dream of trying to encourage Christian’s on their walk through my newspaper and get a full-time job with regular pay and benefits. But I want to follow Jesus and do what He wants me to do.
This is not the “empty nest” I imagined. Many days, especially in the early days of this crisis, all I could pray was “God…I don’t even know what to pray for. Just…help me. Be with me. Give me strength for what I need to do–and show me what that is.” I am so very thankful for my Christian friends and for my Savior and the gift He gave me in His Word.
Thank you Glynnis, for sharing your gift of writing with us and giving encouragement.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!
Not only have you spoken to my heart, to my current situation, to what I am feeling… you have provided practical advice and tools to help.
I know I’m too busy, as do many around me, but no one (including me) seems to know WHAT to do.
Thanks again for not only stating the obvious, but sharing solutions and encouraging me and so many other women!!!
Blessings on your day!
Nicole