I’ve been thinking a lot this week about what a control freak I’m capable of being. How I have some very specific ideas about how circumstances should unfold in my life. Specific ideas about how each person I know could better their own life by simply following my simple suggestions. Particular ways that I’d like God to bless me.
It’s this last one that makes me chuckle a bit. It reminds me of Christmastime as a kid. How I was very thorough in my list-making of all of the gifts I would need Santa to bring me in order to create a really great holiday. What that turns Christmas Day into is simply a checking off of the boxes of different things I asked for. No surprises. No true joy.
Don’t get me wrong—I’m aware of the Scripture that says I’m supposed to ask God for what I want. For me, it comes down to how am I going to respond to not getting what I really think I need to make this a really great life.
Do I really trust that God is going to take care of me? That God is really the creative one in this relationship, and actually knows some great ways (maybe even the best!) to bless me that will not only bring me great joy, but emphasize His goodness and love for me?
Can I trust God with the emptiness in my life that I’m trying so hard to fill up by controlling everything and everyone in my life? I believe the answer is yes. And I want to keep reminding myself of that belief.
Sarah Young, in “Jesus Calling,” so creatively writes what God is saying to me: Tell yourself that this is a perfect day to depend on Me in childlike trust. If you persevere in this dependence as you go through the day, you will discover at bedtime that Joy and Peace have become your companions. You may not realize at what point they joined you on your journey, but you will feel the beneficial effects of their presence. The perfect end to such a day is a doxology of gratitude. I am He from whom all blessings flow!
With great anticipation of His blessings, and not my own imperfect longings,
Mark
If you need your own copy of Jesus Calling click here to purchase!
Whether facing day-to-day frustrations or long-term struggles with fear, insecurity, or the weight of a painful past, Sheila Walsh takes women by the hand and helps build unbridled trust in The One who gives hope, healing, peace, and redemption. Each ‘day’ in this beautiful book starts with a devotion geared toward real life situations that women often face, and ends with questions for thought and space for journaling personal reflections. The invitation is to journey through lessons that women can use immediately to establish a deep, life-altering trust in the Father.
As a popular speaker on the Women of Faith circuit, Sheila is a great advocate for trusting God, no matter the circumstances. She sums it up with the subtitle of the book: “I Don’t Know Where You’re Going Today But I’m Going with You.”
Here’s to delighting in each day as an adventure in trusting a faithful God.
Please click on the cover to explore this book more in-depth!
Ironically, there are more books being published on marriage today than ever before. There are books on marital communication, money management, sex, etc. There are even books on how to become a better husband (or wife) in thirty days! But with all our knowledge, the craziness and conflict continues. And it doesn’t seem to matter if the couples are Christians or unbelievers. Why?
Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, in his book “Love and Respect For A Lifetime,” has concluded that those of us in the church, who believe we have the Truth, are not using the whole truth. A crucial part of God’s Word has been completely ignored or perhaps simply gone unnoticed when it has been there all the time right under our noses!
Many Christian spouses know Ephesians 5:33 and can at least paraphrase it. The apostle Paul tells husbands to love their wives as much as they love themselves, and wives are to respect their husbands. But is anyone really listening? Perhaps the first step to better communication between husband and wife is to hear what God’s Word clearly says, because living out Ephesians 5:33 is the key to blending together as one to reflect the very image of God.
This book will show you the power of unconditional love and unconditional respect. As you and your spouse use these powerful tools, you can save a struggling marriage from the divorce court or a “ho-hum” marriage from boredom and concealed bitterness. If you have a good marriage, you can make it even better.
Man…I did it. What an amazing experience. On the eve of my CD release, I recorded some thoughts from the race. I’m so grateful to everyone who has been cheering me on. We’re all on a great journey -and we need each other to keep going!
I’ve been thinking a lot this week about what a control freak I’m capable of being. How I have some very specific ideas about how circumstances should unfold in my life. Specific ideas about how each person I know could better their own life by simply following my simple suggestions. Particular ways that I’d like God to bless me.
