Have you ever come up against a wall? You’ve done everything you could think of to solve the problem, but nothing has actually resolved it. You’re stymied. It might be a health issue, a relational issue, or a financial issue. That’s what happened to me this week. After eight months of trying this and that, the solution still seemed elusive. I was discouraged. Would I have to deal with this the rest of my life? I remember where I was standing when I knew I had to face the fear that was casting a dark shadow in my heart. I knew I had choices in that moment. I could give in to discouragement and the fear that this will never improve. I could puff out my chest and declare that nothing is going to keep me down. Or I could run into the loving arms of my Heavenly Father. I chose to say to myself and God, “I’m so glad you’re in charge, Lord.” As I leaned into his gentle embrace, I felt truly grateful everything is in God’s control. I can let go of anxiety knowing that he’s got this situation. He will work it out knowing what’s best for me. I don’t have to have the answers. I don’t even have to be strong. I do have to trust. However, there are no guarantees that if I trust, I’ll get the results I want. But I am guaranteed that even if my health, my relationships, or my finances aren’t restored, I have a constant Companion who never leaves me and who gives me his strength to get through.
Trusting that God is in charge doesn’t excuse me from responsibility, but my responsibility is limited. I’m responsible for submitting to God and obeying, but I’m not responsible for the outcomes. I must make sure my motives are pure and my actions are loving, but the outcomes are in God’s hands. I may do my best with his help, and yet the results may be disappointing in my view. We can only obey and leave the results to God. He has the last word. We will stand before him at the judgment and give an account of ourselves, not of our outcomes.
Paul, the apostle and founder of churches across a broad region, did what God called him to do- he told as many people as he could the good news about Jesus. In every place Paul taught, some believed and some didn’t. Paul did what he was supposed to do with every ounce of his being, yet not everyone was convinced to believe. In fact, the majority didn’t believe. But in every place, God called some to repentance and belief. Paul never beat himself up because some didn’t believe. He knew each person must decide for themselves. Not every effort we make in obedience will result in visibly good outcomes. We can’t judge ourselves by our results. We can only examine our motives. The rest we leave in God’s hands.
“I declare today that I have been faithful. If anyone suffers eternal death, it’s not my fault, for I didn’t shrink from declaring all that God wants you to know.” Paul in Acts 20:26-27
The same pertains to the many things that happen that are completely beyond our control. For instance, we have the responsibility to guard our health the best we can. We are stewards of our bodies and must do the best we can to protect and nurture them. But we can’t control many aspects of our health. We can’t prevent a drunk driver from running into us, or a hereditary disease from harming us. Yet we can rest in the kindness and mercy of God who comforts us in all our trouble and takes us home to Heaven when our time is completed. Recognizing God’s control is a comfort – a protected resting place for our thoughts and emotions. When we acknowledge that God is in control of all, we are exalting him to his proper place in our minds and hearts. Being conscious of his rule puts our anxious thoughts to rest. Nothing is outside the realm of his rule, he loves us, so we are safe in him.
“Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,
until these calamities have passed by.I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.” Psalm 57:1-2,3,7,10,11
What I don’t mean is fatalism. Fatalism takes all responsibility off of us and puts it on some faceless force beyond our control. That force isn’t personal or caring. It’s indifferent and random. We have no part in the outcome. What will happen, will happen so we can do what we please. This isn’t Biblical.
When one of our sons was in high school, we lived in a third world country where the majority of the population adhered to a religion that perpetrated fatalism. Our son and his friend were involved in a motorcycle accident. His friend didn’t have his helmet fastened and sustained a serious head injury. The accident occurred on a Sunday afternoon. When the young man was taken to the hospital, there was no doctor on duty until morning. Instead of calling a doctor in to see the young man, the staff left him to die. Their attitude was that if he was meant to die, nothing they could do would help. If he wasn’t meant to die, he wouldn’t die even if they did nothing. He died unaided.
Trusting in God’s sovereignty (kingly rule) is far different than fatalism. We accept responsibility for what we can do with his help, then we rely on our loving Father to bring about the outcome that best fits his good plan for us. He is personally and kindly involved in our day-to-day lives and he is strong enough to complete his purposes. There is nothing random. And we aren’t excused from effort.
The next time an anxious thought barges into your brain, why not greet it with an affirmation of your trust in God’s goodness? “Yes, I have this difficulty. But I know God is in charge. He sees, he is merciful. He is taking good care of me.”
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things? … your Father already knows your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom.” Luke 12:25-26, 31-32
An exceedingly good word, Lori. Thank you
We all need to be reminded, don’t we, dear Hazel? In this together.