Category: Control

Cheer for the Soul

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When the cares of my heart are many,
    your consolations cheer my soul.

Psalm 94:19 ESV

Let’s face it – this week was rough.  The media often sensationalizes the truth – no matter how big or small it is.  COVID-19 is the news story for right now.  As usual there are numerous opinions – and few agree.  No matter where you stand on the issue – no matter your vantage point, I think you’ll find that mass hysteria and overwhelming fear don’t help anything.  If you study emotions, you will find that emotions can take over our rational thinking.  That doesn’t mean we suppress our emotions; we just need to make sure they are in balance with the rational thinking God gave us.

We all have cares.  There were many things people faced before we heard about COVID-19.  This has added to some of those cares in different ways.  No matter what your cares are, God has comfort and help available.  The best thing to do with any care is to take it to God first and ask for His help.  Then as we are able, we can share those cares with others who can help us.  I have been blessed with a church family that I can pray and share with.  If you don’t have one, I would encourage you to look.  There are many good churches and many resources available to help you cling to Christ.  We need one another.

Dear Heavenly Father, we have so many burdens weighing us down right now.  It feels like the world is in a shamble with the varied effects of this virus.  We know You are ultimately in control and have a plan for us.  Please help us as we wait on You.  Thank You for all You have done and all You will do.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Repetition is the Key to Learning

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When I was in 7th grade, my English teacher told us that repetition was the key to learning. Then she proceeded to have us say that numerous times. I have learned the benefit of repetition to learning anything.

God teaches us with repetition in His Word. In Jesus’ Example Prayer, He starts with “Your kingdom come” and then continues with “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Both statements remind us that we need to submit to God’s way instead of trying to live our own.

God loves us so much, that He is willing to repeat over and over again to remind us of what we need.

God is so good.

Whose Kingdom

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As we think about Jesus’ Example Prayer, we should also look at Jesus’ life. Jesus is God the Son. He is equal with God the Father, but chose to submit Himself to carry out His Father’s will. Jesus is worthy of worship. We are not. Why do we think that our own will should be put before God’s? Yet how often do we put our kingdom first?

Friends, keep talking to God. He will show us how we need to live. He will make His way known as we seek Him. His way is worth it.

Control

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Jesus’ Example Prayer continues with “Thy kingdom come.” This is an easy thing to say, but harder to do. Telling God to allow His kingdom means I have to give up my own. I think we mean well trying to build our own kingdoms. We think our plans are going to help build God’s. However, if we don’t carefully spend time in prayer, we risk putting our agenda in place of God’s.

This is the beauty of prayer. When I am willing to give up my kingdom and ask God to build His instead, I gain so much more.

What Control Do I Have?

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I have found it easy to be confused about where I have control. I start with correct thinking such as, “I am responsible for my actions”, but I can fall into thinking that I can control the results. Proverbs 16:9 gives us insight into what God does in our lives. We can make plans, but ultimately God directs through His Sovereignty.

What control do I really have? Not much, but I can spend time in prayer asking for help to make wise decisions. Then I can eagerly watch (Psalm 5:3) for what God will do.

May Your Will Be Done

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The Lord’s Prayer continues with “may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is also easy to say, but much harder to live consistently.

Those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus Christ have the help of the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-16). He will lead in our lives to give us the desire to allow God’s will. However, the flesh is still at work and so we switch from being willing to live God’s way back to seeking our own (Romans 7:18).

This is one of the beautiful helps of prayer. In order to keep my heart and mind willing to follow God’s way, I need to humble myself in prayer (James 4:1-3). In order to let go of my own way to consistently accept God’s will, I need to seek God in prayer daily – even multiple times a day. Prayer is a beautiful time spent with God – my Heavenly Father.