Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB)
Last weekend, while at a Casting Crowns concert, God spoke to my heart in a special way. Near the end of the concert, the question was asked, “Is there anything God wants you to lay down?” He said to lay down my pursuit. I thought of the verse above. God wants me to quit trying so hard to get what I think I need and let Him give me what I need– recognizing that He is God, and I am not. It wasn’t long before I had an opportunity to practice giving up my pursuit of significance and my pursuit of doing things just right. A few days later, when I took a lunch break, I found myself very stressed—about feelings of insignificance & unfairness, finding a location for a Bible study, and making decisions about auto insurance. I realized that my trying to figure things out only made it worse. I wrote out this prayer “casting my anxiety on Him, because He cares for me.” (1 Peter 5:7) What relief! Thank you, Jesus!
God, I give you these concerns, these burdens. I lay them down, surrender control over to you. I will let you bear my burdens, and I choose to trust you to do things your way–the best & most loving way.
Rebecca:-)
Rebecca,
I think about two young people I know who are striving. One with what their career should be…the other with getting through school.
That verse is great. “Cease striving.” We all need that Word.
Sheryl