Have you ever experienced a season when obstacles held you back, making it necessary to remove the things that prevented you from living closely with God?
Stripping Away the Unnecessary
Recently I read Aminata Coote’s Unwavering: How to Stand Strong In Your Faith. In chapter three, she talks about running naked, meaning we must strip off the things that are oppressing us, holding us back from God.
In a season where I am overwhelmed or busy, this chapter hit me like a brick. It was time to strip away the things holding me back from God. I’ve had these seasons before—where I have consciously had to lay my burdens down at the foot of the cross. I believe God will work things out for me but it’s like I wrestle with holding onto things simply because I’m worried about the outcome.
Worry Never Changes Anything
I ran the different scenarios in my head multiple times; each one slightly different. I’ve got the bad reels of what could happen running through my mind.
This season included some hard things, major surgeries for my dad, a not-at-fault auto accident, my son getting his license, and some hard news of further progression in my chronic health issues.
Even through these desperate times, I have a choice: release it to God or try to hold onto the control. When I’m faced with hard things, I go back to the truths that I do know.
God Is In Control
I know God is in control. He didn’t design us to carry the burdens of this world but to strip them away, leaving room for Him.
“You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Trust in the Lord always,
for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.”
Isaiah 26:3-4 NLT
I know God doesn’t want me to carry heavy burdens, that has never been his intent.
“Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30 NLT
I know God is good no matter what the outcome.
“But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.” Daniel 3:18 NLT
I know in my heart that God’s got this. I just have to keep releasing those thoughts back to Him, the doubts and the struggles, the hard stuff.
All the while the humor isn’t lost on me. I see God is using this since I started a series on my blog, Releasing to God.
God’s Kingdom isn’t for the big and flashy – it’s for the broken, empty-handed, in need of a savior. Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 KJV).
I’m sure that people expected the Messiah, to be more of a Joshua or a David, a military commander. One with a big personality and commanding presence. Instead, we received a baby born in a stable to an unwed teenage mother. God’s kingdom isn’t always about making sense to us. It’s about obedience, love, and forgiveness.
Releasing to God
When we release the things holding us back, stripping off the burdens, we can obediently follow God. Through obedience to the Lord, we can love our neighbor and offer forgiveness to those around us. We were not designed to carry heavy burdens and be weighed down by life. Today, what do you need to strip off that’s weighing you down? What can you turn over to God to be drawn closer to Him?
Guest Bloggers Welcome
I welcome guest bloggers each week to share their stories of surrender. Your story matters. Check out our latest post for the series and look at the submission guidelines.
- It’s Time to Strip Away What’s Holding Me Back
- Finding My Tribe For My Launch Team
- Join My Launch Team for Hope in the Healing
- Speaking Life to Yourself
- What It Means to Be Desperate: Releasing Our Children to Jesus
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