The Situation
Be careful not to put the situation over God. Be mindful to put God over the situation (not just in it).
My tendency is to pray for His help, when what I need to do is surrender control. I often unconscionably try to put Him in the situation but not over it. As if saying "I'm going to do this my way and ask for God's assistance". Actually, God is the one in control and he certainly doesn't need my help. Doing things my way and praying for His help is the equivalent of giving him instructions. Sounds silly when I put it that way, but I have to remind myself daily to allow room for God to work. When I've done all I can do, I have to tell myself "I've done enough".
I don't think God means for us to stand idle and expect solutions to fall in our laps. I believe that if we spend time in prayer, and stay in His Word, he will guide our steps. If we listen to that still small voice- we will know when we have done our part. We will know when it is enough.
I thank God that He uses our mistakes for good. I thank God that He is patient with me.
I struggle with the "enough" part, and more often that I care to admit, I go right past it. Yesterday, after spending two straight weeks running myself, my husband and my 2nd mother ragged, I finally said "I have done all I can do; it is enough". I had been trying to "handle" the situation. Doing things Shelly's way I had very limited success. I literally had exhausted every penny we had running all over three counties. That's a lot of gas even in our little Reno. I would like to say that I came to the realization that I needed to make room for God and so I obeyed. The truth is that I knew the previous Friday I just didn't do it until I had no choice. I just kept going because I couldn't bear not DOING something. But there was nothing left for me to do, but wait. Instead I tried every other avenue and stressed myself out to a breaking point. Thank God we ran out of gas money! Because at that point, I knew that it was well past time to surrender. So, I spend yesterday in prayer and in His Word. I came to understand that he is working even when I don't see it, even when I am at rest. I felt the peace that I had been denying myself. With all my "doing" I forgot to do the most important thing- trust God.
Not surprisingly, on my day "off", God began to change things in the situation that I was so focused on. Not only was progress made in the area that has been so overwhelming, but in ways I did not expect. God opened my eyes to areas where I was standing in my own way and when I stepped aside- other prayers were answered.
I thank God that He uses our mistakes for our good. All the times in the previous weeks that I had run into dead ends, were not dead ends at all. Each task that seemed like a failure to me was in fact, of great benefit. You see, I learned something new at every turn. Even turns that seemed to have gotten me nowhere. While I was busy busy doing, God was busy teaching.
Now I see doors beginning to open that I thought were closed, and I thank God for His guidance and His favor. In my weakness is His strength. He is more powerful than my situation. He is in control of my situation. In Him is victory.
Created 4 months ago
