A Challenge

You know it’s so easy to look at the bad things that are happening in our lives. It’s very easy to focus on what’s not going right. It is easy to complain about what we don’t have or what we need. It’s so easy to look at the things that are going so wrong, how the bills are due, how the kids are misbehaving, what our husbands are not doing, the sickness that we have, the jobs that don’t pay enough. It’s easy to focus on how things are really looking bad right now. Yes, it’s easy to see and focus on those negative things.

But today, I have a challenge for you and I’m challenging myself as well. There may be things not going so well in our lives. Right now, things might be looking pretty bad. Our lives may look like a tornado has blown threw our city and we need to assess the damages. Maybe the wind is blowing hard and the rain is still pouring down. But today, let’s not look at the chaos that’s going on. Today, let’s not survey the damages. Today, let’s not look at how horrible things have gotten. Let’s not focus on the disorder, the confusion, or the turmoil. No, let’s focus on something else. Let’s turn our eyes and attention to someone else.

Today, my sister, I’m challenging you to focus on the One who is still in the “working it out” business. I’m challenging myself to keep my mind on the One who knows what to do and how to do it. I’m focusing on the One who knows what’s best for me. Today, I’m challenging you to do the same. Keep your attention on the One who has it all under control. God can and God will take care of everything. He has everything in place just the way He wants it. Things that are going on in our lives are no accidents; they are no mishaps, and no mistakes. These things are not by chance. No, God foreknew all of this would happen. That’s why He’s sovereign.

Therefore, today let us bring everything to the Lord. All of our worries, all of our confusion, all of our disappointments, all of our health issues. Let us bring all of our concerns to the One who can handle everything. For if we bring all our cares to Him, that’s when He will give us peace.

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7, AMP)

Let’s Pray: Father, we thank You for being a God who can and who will take care of everything. Father, forgive us for not bringing all our cares to You. Lord, You said You would bear our burdens, You would lift our heavy loads. But You want us to bring all of them to You. So, Father we bring them to You and we leave them there. Father, give us faith to trust and believe that You will work everything out for our good. Father, help us to focus on You and only You because You are all we need and You have everything under control. Lord, we love You and we thank You. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

“Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign LORD comes escape from death.” (Psalm 68:19-20, NIV)

Encouraging You to Walk in Freedom! ™

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Originally posted April 27, 2011.

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