Is there anything more difficult than placing our trust in someone other than ourselves? We are humans, this is our sin nature. We believe we know better, we have it all figured out and we are in control. Trusting God with our lives is an afterthought at best.
I’m fairly certain very little is more upsetting for our Creator. I mean, other than blatantly discrediting Him as God, acting as if we are more worthy of trust and are capable of doing it all alone, is very likely a slap in the face. After all, choosing to trust ourselves over trusting God is doing exactly that – discrediting Him.
In this season of flux where I am not even remotely in control of our circumstances, God is lovingly and gently releasing my death grip on the need to control. He’s teaching me what trusting Him REALLY looks like and reminding me it is a safe place to be. I’m learning that my death grip on control, is actually letting control keep its death grip on me.
This summer my family was fortunate enough to take a vacation to the beach. Well, mothers of young children understand “vacation” is very loosely used, but you catch the drift. We were in beautiful Cape San Blas, Florida, on a secluded beach with just our family. It was perfection.
My two year old was IN. LOVE. The grandeur filled her with awe, and while she did not have any desire to get IN the ocean, we thoroughly enjoyed playing near the water.
Her favorite thing to do was stand right at the water’s edge and the let waves come wash over her. One particular day, I was able to sit with her for a few hours and enjoy her new favorite pastime. She would stare out into the ocean and watch the waves coming near her declaring with shrieks and giggles how exciting it all was. She held my hand tightly, as I know she understood the danger of the situation (she’s a precocious little one). Every so often she would get really brave and resolute watching the waves coming in and let go of my hand. But the second the rough waters approached, she’d snatch my hand back up in a hurry.
Don’t we do this exact thing? Don’t we pretend we can do this by ourselves? Don’t we only reach out for help when it’s too late? God was swift to remind me of my sinful heart through this experience with my girl. I am very prideful. Pride is the root of the majority of my sinful thoughts and frankly, I tend to think I can get through this life alone. I’m certain I can do it all without any help from my Creator. It’s not until I’m in the middle of a wave or near drowning that I reach for His hand.
In watching Scarlette’s bravery wane with the rising tides, I pictured myself doing the same thing when the oceans of life’s pain and suffering swell. The Spirit was sweet to remind me, it’s all much easier when I hold to God’s hand the entire time. Trusting God isn’t just an afterthought when I’m fearful of growing, it’s a way of life. This life is meant to be lived WITH our Creator in His company and presence. He’s with us in the waves, and He’s with us in the still. We are never alone.
Instead of drowning in fear and anxiety, allowing Satan to steal your joy, consider reaching for our Savior’s hand. It’s right there. Waiting for you to take it. Jesus is not off limits for ANYONE.
Sisters, Rest. Trust. Enjoy the waves knowing you are secure and anchored-confident in HIM, not yourselves.
“When oceans rise, my soul will rest in your embrace. For I am yours…and You are mine.”
Are you trusting God in the waves? What verses remind you He is worthy of your trust?
How can I pray for you in the waves?
Oh I needed this right now! The last 6 months have been up & down & the Lord has called me to step out the boat & trust Him in what He’s calling me to do. It’s made my anxiety rise to a new level & waves of depression have hit. But I trust Him & I know He wants me to walk through this valley. Thank you for this post!
We know anxiety is from the enemy – not our God. Praying for you as you step out in faith!
You’re welcome!
Ahhh, so true. I am a recovering control freak. God has taught me a lot about not letting go of His hand. It isn’t easy but is is always better,
I’m a recovering legalist – so I get it. At the root of legalism is the need to control. His way is always better, indeed.
What a beautiful visual picture of our relationship with God. I am thankful He is always there when I reach for His hand after I let go again.
I love the ocean. reminds me so much of just how awesome God truly is.
And how small we are! I need the humbling reminder…daily.
What a beautiful visual of trusting God! Thank you for painting great word pictures to create a lasting impression!
Cathy
Thank you! It was certainly a teaching moment via the Spirit in my own heart.
Wow! I loved it even though it hit hard. I don’t think we really realize what it means when we try to handle things on our own without trusting God with it. Some times I wonder if He shakes His head at me and says, “Will you ever learn my child?”. I often ask that of myself!
I love the way you started this post. How we place our trust in ourselves and not the Lord. Oh, so true. As if we know what to do. I’m ever so guilty of that. I am working on losing the mindset if my hand isn’t in it, then it just can’t be done. So arrogant, really. But God has taught me a lot about that these past 2 years and he is still working on me.
Sometimes I take complete comfort in knowing He’ll always be working on me – that I’ll never “get there” this side of heaven. Other days that’s an exhausting thought and I cannot wait for heaven.
This reminds me of the Bethel Song, ‘You make Me Brave’. I love it – reality is he is often going to call us out onto the waves. It’s up to us to trust Him! Thanks for sharing this! What a beautiful analogy!
Trusting in ours is hard but the more I trust in God the easier it becomes. He is ever faithful and always there. Blessings to you for this great reminder.
Amen. My kid’s behavior often reminds me of my behavior towards our Father. I want power and control but the reality is He is my power and I am His servant. It’s a hard place to be on this earth knowing one thing is true while pulled away from it over and over.
Marissa
and that’s the hardest time to trust God – when we are going thru the waves…
I had such a wave of peacefulness washing over me while reading this. It truly is amazing what we can learn when we just slow down and watch.
I love the lesson in this post and how you compared it to your sweet little girl holding your hand. So precious and memorable! God bless!
Thank you! It was definitely a memory I’ll never forget.
This is so true! Trusting God is sometimes one of the hardest things to do. But every single time, He proves faithful and He provides, even if it is not the way you expected! Love your blog.
Thank you! He is always faithful!
Thank you for this reminder that we are never alone.
Absolutely!
It is very reassuring to know that we aren’t alone and that God is with us. I am learning how to put all of my trust in Him
There have been times through out my life where things have been good and bad. My prayer is that during hard times, I will continue to praise God.
It’s amazing the lessons God teaches us through our children! Thank you for sharing this one.
Here is something God has been teaching me…though not through my children it is still stretching me.