Have you ever been stuck in a “trying” mindset? Trying to do your best. Trying to make good choices. Trying to be like Jesus. The problem with all this trying is that it’s done in our own strength. So then when we try and fail, we fall into shame and guilt. We want to remind you, God created you. He knows you are human. He isn’t upset that you can’t do it on your own. He understands your limitations. But His focus does not remain there, and neither should ours. He is eager to be closer to us. To guide us, help us, and to improve our lives through His goodness!
Let’s look at two verses that show the contrast between our ability and His. Acts 17:26 says “And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings”. Psalms 147:5 “Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.” The meaning of the verse in Acts is that we all came from Adam. He created us all. He created us in all our humanness. He already knows us fully including the boundaries of our abilities. From the Psalms we are reminded that He is great, mighty, powerful, and has infinite understanding!
If we have access to Him, and we are called to be in relationship with Him, then why do we attempt to do things in our own strength? The Creator of the universe desires to be in communion with YOU! When we allow Him to take His rightful place as King of our heart and Lord of our life, we find ourselves falling out of the constant cycle of “trying”. Instead of the anxiety of big choices and the guilt and shame of failure, we get to experience His peace that passes all understanding! We read about this in Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
God is both the water and the well. He isn’t just the source of all answers, He is the answer to everything! And we have access to Him. He is listening out to hear our voices!
Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
1 John 5:15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
God calls on us to humble ourselves so He can work in, through, and for us. James 4:10 says “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up”. He lets us know His power works best when we are vulnerable with Him in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 says, “And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Vulnerability is the starting place of intimacy. God already knows us fully and loves us fully! His desire is for us to drop all attempts to hide our broken or ugly places, but instead lift them up to Him, knowing that He will mend us and grow us.
The only way you can trust the Lord with your entire life, the good, the bad, and the ugly, is to know Him. You can get to know Him better by reading His Holy Word! Read it and find out who He is and what all He wants to do in and through you. Find out how beloved you are!
As Thanksgiving approaches, we want to encourage you to take time to reflect on the goodness of God and to truly thank Him, not just for what He has done but for who He is! While you’re spending time with family next week be sure to make time for the Word. Be blessed!
