April 9, 2020

 

Don’t Take Away My…

 

Transformational Thought

Security means different things to different people. Some people feel secure if their health is good. Many experience security if their finances are strong, and others if they’re surrounded by a loving family. But depending on people or objects for ongoing complete security will eventually result in disappointment. That’s because all the objects of this world are limited and fallible. 

 

Suppose you work for a company many years, building up a healthy retirement fund that you depend on for security in later life. Soon after your 60th birthday, the company falters and the retirement fund disappears. If your security has been in that retirement plan, you’ll be devastated and will experience fear and anxiety as you face your future. 

 

We have a tendency to turn needs into wants. Sure, it is Ok to want various things in life. But we often move across the line and turn that want into a need. Meaning, I need – have to have – that in order to be happy, have peace, be smart, have control, be in power, have security, feel fulfilled or loved. We subliminally become dependent on that thing or event so when it doesn’t happen or is taken away, we feel the state of mind it was to deliver, is out of reach or can never be ours. 

 

But if you recognize that God, not the retirement fund, is the real source for all your needs, you can rest in the assurance that He has a plan … and that He will take care of you. Nothing takes God by surprise. Even if you don’t see His plan, you can be confident that He saw what would happen to you and has everything under control. 

 

The same principle applies when you lose a job, when a friend moves, when you get a scary diagnosis, when your child has a special life-changing issue … or when any part of your agenda doesn’t go as you planned. If your confidence, security, and thus, your faith is in the job … friend … health … agenda, it is inevitable that you will lose hope. Or at the very least, you’ll have a fragile hope and attitude.

 

But when your faith is in Jesus, you have the assurance that He never changes. Nothing can separate you from His love. He will provide a way just as He promises. Oftentimes, He provides in a way that is foreign to you to “prove” that He is at work in your life, that it wasn’t your effort. That is why the Bible says God works in mysterious ways. His ways aren’t really mysterious to Him. They make perfect sense to God. Since we weren’t expecting God’s solution, we think it is luck, a mystery, or a miracle. That is why we need to keep our eyes open throughout the day. Peace and other provisions from God may come in ways we don’t expect.

 

Today, examine what you fear losing. It’s ok to feel sadness for that loss. But if losing it would result in fear, anxiety, or loss of sleep, then you are probably too dependent on that particular element. Ask God to show you how He will meet that need and lessen your grip on the thing you fear losing. He is your rock. Rest on Him. Build your life on Him. He will be the solid foundation on which to build all the elements of your life. Whether you build your life on that solid rock that never changes or you build you life on the fluctuating, politically correct, or ever-changing man-made whims of this world is your decision, so choose well.

 

Prayer   

Dear Father God, forgive me for the times I have depended on other people and things, and then lost hope when they let me down. Help me to use the knowledge and truth of Your word to utilize the blessings You have provided me without becoming dependent on them. Help me to remember that You are the ultimate source of my comfort and provision, and that You are unchanging and totally trustworthy. Thank You for supplying all my needs. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the One who died for my biggest need, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say – AMEN!

 

The Truth

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9

You are the GOD who does wonders; You have made known Your strength among the peoples. By Your arm You have redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah. The waters saw You, O Elohim; The waters saw You, they were afraid; The depths also trembled. The clouds poured out water; The heavens rumbled; Also, Your arrows flashed back and forth. The voice of Your thunder rolled along; Lightnings lit up the world; The earth trembled and shook. Your way was in the sea, And Your path in the great waters, And Your footsteps were not known. Psalms 77:14-19