I feel that God spoke to me through a devotion that I read yesterday. The devotion’s first sentence reads: “This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control.” This not only applies to my life right now, but has been a struggle for me for years. From obsessive planning, worrying, and anxiety about the future, letting go has always been difficult for me. I always want to be in control of the situation, even though it causes me an insane amount of stress. I over think every decision I make, contemplating how it will affect the future. I spend way too much time worrying about what I wear or what my car and room look like, to the point I am not worrying enough about who I am on the inside or my relationship with the Lord. I am always having anxiety about the people I love, whether it is me worrying about their safety or worried about losing them.
I don’t think I fully realized until now that all of those habits are toxic and not okay at all. The devotion I read showed me that I shouldn’t feel the need to control, have, or know everything. The Lord takes care of that for us, for He is the one truly in control. Also, with him you have everything that matters. (The fact I spent so much of my life desiring a pair of shoes more than having a relationship with the Lord bewilders me.) Knowing that the author of our lives is an amazing God that loves us should bring us enough peace to stop worrying about the future forever!
I read this devotion in a serious time of need. I have been so worried about fundraising enough money, that I haven’t practiced putting those worries into God’s hands. Another thing I cannot seem to let go and give to God are the people I love. I fear every day how much I will miss them when I leave, and I fear I could lose them doing so. Reading the devotion, I felt an immense sense of peace knowing that they are in God’s hands, the safest place to be.
We must learn to let go and be able to put even our most prized possessions and loved ones into God’s hands. Relying on our own efforts to keep those things and people safe will never be the best option, for God is in control of all things. Trusting in Him with your worries will allow you to rest in His peace and presence, and it will even bring you closer to Him. We are complete in His presence.
I am ending this blog with a verse from Hebrews. Hebrews 13:8 states “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” We should feel secure in that, even through the most difficult situations, terrible mistakes, and life-altering changes. No circumstance can take our security or happiness from us if our security and happiness is in Jesus Christ.
UPDATE: Speaking of letting go of control and giving it to God, our route just got changed from Guatemala to Costa Rica!! So now instead of going to Thailand, India, and Guatemala, we are going to Thailand, India, and Costa Rica. I was just about to post this blog when I got the news. This cannot be just a coincidence. What a perfect example of God surpassing man-made plans.
