He Doesn't Walk Away

Casting all your anxieties upon Him, because He cares for you.
I Peter 5:7

Do you remember how we talked about giving your stressful circumstances to Jesus? How we mentally tucked that problem and all the stray ends into a box and wrapped it carefully, sealed it, and tied it securely with super strong nylon cords? Then, we watched from outside with our eyes closed, while inside we met Jesus, gave Him the box, and then watched Him walk away with our "problem" tucked under His arm.

What a blessed release, relief, it is to be able to take my problem-whatever it is-my struggle, my pain, my fear-to wrap it up in a box and tie it tightly inside so it can't ever get "out" again, and hand it over to Jesus. I really don't see Him walking away with it, because He never, never, never walks away from me. No. I see Him hanging on to my box and whenever I think about the problem again, I see Him right beside me with MY package still in HIS hands. I gladly leave it with Him. And He is strong enough to carry as many "packages" as I need to place in His hands

Praise be to almighty God who loves me-insignificant me? Hardly. I am very significant to Him-I've talked to Him about all of my problems-I love Him that much and He loves me that much.

God's Plan For My Pain

I really resist (or do I resent?) the trite words that are often given as sage advice to someone who is going through difficult times.

Well, just think about poor Aunt Essie (or your sister, or someone you knew thirteen years ago, or someone you don’t even know). What if you were in her shoes? You can always find someone who has more problems than you do. Be thankful that yours are not as bad as theirs. Just think about that . . . you know, walking in their moccasins for two weeks.

Nope. That’s not what I need to hear. I don’t want my needs or my circumstances to be minimized. They are very real to me. Pressing. Hurting. Stressful. No two problems are alike. Your needs are critically important to you. My needs are critically important to me.

But the difficulty arises both in allowing Him to meet my needs--in His way, in His timing--and in determining what my real need is. I may think it’s money to pay a debt when He would say, "No, Jackie. You need to learn discipline in taking care of the material things I have given you." I may think my need is release from a circumstance that I am in when He would tenderly admonish me, "No, my sweet Jack. You need to practice endurance." I may be praying for release from pain. This, Lord, is my need. Once again He would say, "No, Jackie. You need to learn true compassion."

So once again I say, "I trust You, Lord." You have made me and You are now busy conforming me to Your image. I want that. I don’t want the pain and the stress and the frustration, but I can’t have one without the other. I guess it’s kind of like having a baby. It would be nice to have my boys without the nine months of being nauseated and the discomfort of carrying them around all the time in my tummy, not to mention the intense pain of helping them make his way into our world. But that’s a part of motherhood. I can’t separate one from the other.

My deepest thanks to You, my precious Lord, for your willingness to go through all of these things with me . . . for me . . . through me . . . and for letting me know the expected outcome: to be like You.

We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Romans 8:28,29

The Ride

“Isaiah 26:3, “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (NIV)

I read a story about a little girl who was very nervous at the prospect of her first horseback ride, even though she was to be perched behind her grandfather who was an excellent rider. As her parents helped her onto the horse, she cried, “What do I do? I don’t know how to ride a horse! I’ve never done this before! What do I do?” Her grandfather said in a reassuring tone, “Don’t worry about the horse or about how to ride it. Just hold on to me, Darlin’, just hold on to me.” This story reminds me of the familiar saying, “When you’re at the end of the rope, hold onto your faith.” That’s easier said than done unless you realize that you have to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not only that, but you have to learn how to apply His Word that you have hidden in your heart & apply it to ALL situations and circumstances that come your way.

It’s when we lose touch with the Lord that we fall into fear and panic, but keeping our minds on Him in thought, prayer, and worship brings peace to our hearts and minds. We must grip tightly to our faith in Christ through prayer and mediation on a daily basis Then, whether our day is like a tried old nag or a bucking –bronco, holding on to our faith keeps us in the saddle until the ride is over. However, if we look to ourselves or at the “beast,” whatever that may be, then we will always feel weak, helpless, and afraid. Like the grandfather, who was an excellent rider, our heavenly Father is even greater. Christ has both hands on the reins. He knows how to ride, which direction the horse will run, and how long the journey will last. All we have to do is hold on.

Dear Lord, No matter how wild the ride gets, I trust that You are in control and I’m safe holding on to You, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God's Purposes In Our Difficulties

If we could choose the number of difficulties we want to face in a month, most of us would pick zero. Yet, God sees value in difficult times. Through His mighty power, He uses trials to accomplish His plans. One of God's purposes for us is a growing intimacy in our relationship with Him. But He knows we struggle to put Him first over our own interests. Many of us place higher priority on family and friends than on companionship with God. For others, finances, work, or even personal pleasures interfere. When the Lord sees that our attention is drifting away from Him, He might use hardships to draw us back so we'll refocus. Another reason God allows difficulties is to conform us to the image of Jesus. Pain is a tool that brings areas of ungodliness to the surface. God also uses it to sift, shape, and prune us. The sanctification process, the building of Christlike character into our lives, starts at salvation and ends with our last breath. A third purpose for stressful circumstances is to reveal true convictions. Our faith is tested in tough times. It's easy to say, "God is good," when things are peaceful. But when everything goes wrong, what do we believe about Him? Do our words and actions reveal an attitude of trust? King David endured many heartaches: a disintegrating family, personal attacks, and betrayal by close friends. But through his trials, he gained deeper intimacy with God, stronger faith, and more godly character. Won't you let God accomplish His purposes in your present situation?