“The kings heart is like a stream of water directed by the
Lord
Who guides it wherever He pleases.” Prv. 21:1
If
God has allowed “it” (the person or situation that is causing me angst), He
desires to do something great with it. Nothing, absolutely not a thing, slips
through God’s hands unnoticed or by accident. Rest assured, if He’s allowed
“it”, though “it”, He desires to conform us more and more into His image, give
us greater understanding of Himself and this world, affect other lives for His
glory, and prepare us for our heavenly reign with Him.
The
question is…do you and I believe this to be true?
“Control”
results when I grip what I think best. ~Note: “I” think best.
Truth:
I must realize, then embrace the fact that I cannot have 2 rulers on the throne
of my life. Either 1) God or 2) I will reign in the particular “moment of
decision” to which I find myself.
Should
I choose to surrender my grip on my own life (surrender my control), take my
focus off the hurtful person(s) or circumstance, place it FULLY on God, I’ll
discover that it’s in this “surrendered state” that God goes to work. ~Mentally
rehearsing heartache keeps me in
prison. Focusing on the hurtful person(s) or circumstance, rather than
focusing on God, keeps me in the bondage of anger/resentment/confusion and control.
In time, these negative thought patterns destroy me physically, destroy
relationship and ultimately result in misgivings for God. It’s been said, “Control
is a blaring declaration of my distrust of God.”
If
God’s allowed “it”, there is a reason(s). IF I choose to embrace the pain
(versus nurse the pain), with God being my sole focus, He performs radical things in and through me.
(E.g.
Currently, ISIS is tearing apart the Middle East. Yet, despite the atrocities, many
of the surviving victims are embracing Jesus Christ on a whole new level. These
survivors of unimaginable horrors are turning the world upside down with their
witness…loving their enemies despite their extreme losses (physical,
emotional, relational, etc.)
“For the love of Christ controls us.” 2Cor.
5:14
Although most of us reading this message are
not facing ISIS today, might we be willing to take this God challenge? Are you
willing to free your heart and mind, by allowing them to be controlled by the
love of Christ and not self-appointed kingship?
If you’re up for the challenge, please
reflect briefly on the situation or person that has your heart all knotted up.
Then, release control, and place your name in the following blank:
“______’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the
Lord
Who guides it wherever He pleases.” Prov. 21:1
”Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water
will flow from within them.” Jn. 7:38
Meditate upon these verses, wholeheartedly
embracing His kingship over your life. The pain won’t totally vaporize, but
indescribable freedom and peace await as we allow His kingship to guide us
moment to moment. ~Remember this empowering spiritual equation: Abide in God…abiding leads to repentance…repentance leads
to a deeper intimacy with God…intimacy leads to surrender…surrender allows the
Spirit into the deepest crevices of our lives, which sets us free, changes us
from within and brings joy to a desperate world.
May
God bless us and keep us as we avail ourselves to His divine promptings this
week!
Much
love and hugs, ~ Shaun and Betsy
