I think we can all think of a time when we were in shock as we realized we were NOT in control. It seemed everything in life was going wrong. Health, job, relationships, finances...all falling apart. We became overwhelmed, angry or depressed. Our lives seem more in control when things are predictable. Sometimes it is only when all of the pressures mount that we understand how little control we have. We are stumbling and crumbling! We are actually surprised that we are not in control! We can laugh at that now but not when times are tough.
God has given us some control over our lives. Our lives are predictable and unpredictable. God shows us in Ephesians 11: 3-4, "If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” We can look at the sky and predict if it is going to rain but there are times that a tree will fall that we thought could withstand a storm. We are surprised that the tree fell. If we could predict everything we would not need God. He wants us to have to trust Him so that He can fulfill His purpose.
When we can acknowledge that God is in control it can take the stress out of us messing the plan up. We know He has the best plan for our life. We may feel far away from God during these times because we are handling things ourselves. You know the saying that if you are not feeling close to God, guess who moved?! Remember, God never changes and He has the power to heal and set us free. He is the God of miracles! We can struggle with something for years that He can take care of it a minute!
Are you going through a tough time? Are you afraid of a burdened relationship? Are you afraid of a diagnosis or a lack of a diagnosis? Are you worried about a job or the future? Are you worried about your finances? Are you stumbling and crumbling? Do you feel God is distant in your life right now? Today is the day to move toward Him in faith. He already knows your troubles and pain. He knows how hard you have tried to fix it. Let's face the facts: this problem is too big for us but not for God! With Him all things are possible. Matthew 19: 26, "Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Let's trust this!
God wants us to let His Spirit guide us through tough times. In order to do this we must surrender. To surrender means to cease resistance and submit to authority. So let's stop resisting and remember He is the Potter and we are the clay. Isaiah 64: 8, "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Once we let God be in control of our life He will guide our decisions and give us wisdom. Our hardships will make our faith stronger. He will give us wisdom about what job is best for us or bring us an unexpected one. He will get us to the right doctor or heal us! He may restore our broken relationship or show us how to move on - whatever is best for us. He may work in our finances in a way that no accountant can explain! He is a God of miracles and I know because He has done all of this for me at some point in my life! Just trust Him with your future and watch everything fall into place all while you have a peace that surpasses all understanding!