Is God Inviting You to Let Go of Yourself?

This is His invitation to me today

Among the frustration of cancelled and forgotten appointments, miscommunication and a busier than usual schedule, I find myself struggling to stay afloat.

The negative self talk I’ve learned to manage turns the volume back up: “Why can’t you do it? You’re letting your family down. You’re incompetent, irresponsible, lazy. You’re never going to get a handle on it.”

I’m frantic, scattered. Much like my apples were yesterday when the bag ripped in the parking lot of the store as I hauled my groceries to my truck.

My circumstances can either hijack my emotions, or point me to God

I feel like Peter once he began to sink. The wind is whipping against him; the waves are pummeling him one after another.

“Help me Jesus,” I cry out. “Can’t you see I’m drowning?”

Part of me says, “show yourself some compassion.” After all, it’s unsettling knowing that as I tuck my children into their warm beds, mothers in cities across Ukraine are soothing their little ones underground in subway stations, trying to keep safe.

Another part of me says, “But God equips His children to give thanks in all circumstances. The Lord guards our hearts and minds with His supernatural peace. Our strength comes from the joy that only Abba Father can give.

If I’m not experiencing thankfulness, peace, joy and strength as I face my circumstances, am I not trying to get by on my own strength instead of His?

God’s invitation to me is to let go of myself and lean in to Him

I’m not surprised this is happening now, a week into Lent. This is a time of letting go so that He can fill us up. I realize that God is inviting me to let go myself. I need to step back in place again, and it’s not at the front of the line. I need to lean into His goodness and grace.

In the past, when my circumstances overwhelmed me, I cried out to the Lord, “I can’t do it! I can’t do it! I can’t do it!” The subtext being, “Take it away! Take it away! Take it away!” These days, I’m crying, “I can’t do it without you Jesus!”

I still don’t have a fail-proof plan for how to face struggles; you won’t find anything “how-to” here. Even in worship and praise, I feel tossed back and forth by the wind.

I picture myself climbing up into Abba Daddy’s lap, leaning back against His chest and hearing His heart beat with love for me. I know my problems won’t miraculously disappear. But I also know I’m not alone.

God offers me comfort and peace as I rest in His promises

I believe that the Lord hears me, even when I don’t feel Him near. I know that He promises to never leave me or forsake me, and that all of His promises are “Yes and amen!” I take great comfort in knowing this truth never changes.

God’s word to me for 2022 is: “Rest in My Promises.”

I am confident that He is unashamedly following through with the promises found in His written (Logos) Word. And I trust that He is also faithfully fulfilling His spoken (Rhema) Words.

Today, I’m resting in the promises that He is for me, not against me. That nothing can separate me from His love. That He always gives good gifts. That His Holy Spirit is still revealing His Word to our hearts.

Busy schedules and missed appointments or not, God’s promises are always something I can be thankful for.