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Okay, God. What’s My Job?
Let go of control In the last few articles we’ve touched on the idea of letting go of control and depending on God, but today we are going to dive deeper. One of my favorite old movies is Days of Thunder, starring Tom Cruise and Nichole Kidman. In one scene, Cole and Claire are in an argument about Cole, Cruise’s character, going back to racing after an accident. Claire, Kidman’s character, tells Cole that “control is an illusion.” Hard to believe that such profound wisdom could come from a 90’s cult classic, but it’s true. The illusion of control trumps us all up at some point. Here are some things to know…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: 2 Corinthians 4:17
Scripture: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) Thought: God is not unfeeling, but our salvation is important. As such, he will use our difficulties and afflictions to draw us closer to him. It is amazing to think that God wants us with him in heaven. Faith makes our difficulties lighter. When we change our orientation towards heaven, the whole of our experience changes—we become stronger, more capable, more humble. Application: What is my focus? Now or eternity. This life is fleeting, but the one to come is forever. If I focus on that, whatever I experience here…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Psalm 34: 18-19
Scripture: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:18-19). Thought: God is compassionate and always near, especially in our brokenness. He doesn’t sometimes deliver, he always delivers if we seek him, albeit maybe not in the way we think. Needy and dependent, but in a good way. God, our father, wants to be there for us in everything, but especially our brokenness and deep sorrow. We are righteous when we seek him above all else. Application: We have, in our brokenness and need, often tried to hid…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: Deuteronomy 31: 8
Scripture: “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV) Thought: God is our faith and ever present leader. Because God is faithful and present, we can and must put our trust in him and never be afraid. Application: Joshua was being commission by Moses to lead the Israelites into the promise land. His commissioning was a really big deal. Regardless of the significance of his call, Moses said Joshua should still fully trust God. Our calling is to also follow God’s lead. To trust that he has gone…
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A Devotional for the Anxious Heart: James 1:2-4
Scripture: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness . And let that steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4 ESV) Thought: God is wise and all-knowing. He allows us to encounter difficult circumstances to mold us and shape us, but he is never far away. We should rejoice, even in our difficulties. God is using those difficulties to grow us. By our faith, we will emerge victorious. Application: It is hard to rejoice in suffering. The flesh wants to engage in self-pity and justifying worldly…
