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Learning how to SIT with Jesus.

I’ve done daily devotionals for years, but I need to confess something about my efforts. I go through streaks of inconsistency. Sometimes I miss a day here and there. Other times, I miss weeks at a time. Sometimes I start a study and then my interest dwindles and I tuck it away in a cupboard. Even when I am being diligent, sometimes I’m just going through the motions. I read and say, “Yes, Lord. Good to know. I should work on that.”

I used to think that my lackluster performance was due to the demands of life, the ebbs and flows of energy, and a lack of diligence on my part. Recently, I came to realize that while those things surely do influence my daily devotions and time with God, there is something deeper and far more sinister behind it all—FEAR.

Psalm 56:3 states, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (ESV). Sounds so simple, so easy. But for me, often when I am afraid, I put up a shield and run from God. Why? Shame and insecurity. Remember the last post when I talked about my fancy fig leaves? Well, turns out it’s hard to let go of our fig leaves, even with God. After a lifetime of weaving and sewing, it takes a change of heart, a softening of the heart, to realize that God has it covered and I don’t need to weave and sew anymore. I can come to him naked and he will cover me.

How do I do this? How does one come to the foot of the throne, humble and willing to listen? I’ll be honest, I’m still learning how to do that. However, I did run across something that seems to be helping me during this part of my journey. Edward Welch (2021) said that when we fear we should do the following:

            Speak our anxieties to Jesus (1 Peter 5:7). The minute a fear enters my heart, tell it to Jesus. I don’t have to understand it or even know what to do about it, just tell him.

             Immanuel means “God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Remember that God is with us. The Spirit indwells us and will never leave us (1 Corinthians 3:16). I can trust that no matter how dark or how scary it may seem, he will not leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).

            Today is the focus. So many times my fears are fueled by my past or future, rather than the here and now. God calls us to be in the present moment with him and not worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34). I can be here, right now, and not worry.

Life has been giving me all sorts of laughs lately. Who knew one of the ways to feel more peace was to SIT and take a load off, by giving it to Jesus?

We would love to hear about the ways you SIT with Jesus? Talk with him? Confide in him? Please share in the comments below.

Contributed by Liz Hunt

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