I started this week with a heavy heart.
3 children I knew (one of them, my own) were going through 3 different struggles – physical, emotional and spiritual. My heart was burdened for them, and I did the only thing I possibly could – I prayed.
I went to sleep Sunday night very disturbed about what each of these little ones had to go through. And I woke up Monday morning with an even heavier heart.
The fact that I couldn’t do anything to help them only compounded my anxiety. I continued to pray, but my heart did not become any lighter.
As the day wore on, I was so consumed with thoughts of these children that it became exhausting. And then I heard it…
Let. It. Go.
I don’t always hear something very specifically from God, but there are times when He speaks so firmly into your spirit that you can’t deny it was Him.
This was one of those times.
That afternoon as I was pacing the footpath, waiting for the school bus to bring my boys back home, these 3 words took on a different meaning.
This wasn’t Elsa’s mantra, or a careless attitude. God seriously wanted me to let the kids go.
But why?
God reminded me that I was already praying for them; He held those precious children close to His bosom. He loved them more than I possibly could. He cared for them, and He could do for them what I personally could not.
Yes, I would continue to pray for them until my prayers are answered. But I would no longer worry about them.
I would offer to support them in any way I could, but I would not break my head over what I cannot do.
This whole episode taught me such a valuable lesson!
So often, we pray about situations that bother us but then continue to worry about them as well. Isn’t it sufficient that we’ve already placed our burden in the hands of an Almighty God? Why then do we constantly try to ease His load by holding on to the weight with our petite hands?
If we have truly surrendered our problems into His able hands, we should be able to rest and allow Him to do the impossible.
So, does that mean we do nothing?
Absolutely not!
We continue to pray…
We continue to do what God has asked us to do…
We continue to trust Him to work things out…
But we DO quit worrying!
Is there something burdening your heart today? Leave it in God’s hands, and then take your hands off!
Take a backseat, and let God steer you in the way He wants you to go!
“Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.”
(Philippians 4:6)
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Hi Sheena
This blog was something I badly needed at the right time. I was also bogged down by something, though I have been worrying and praying about it.. Thanks a lot for the lovely read, though all of it is very known.. needed at right time
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Sheena, this is such an important lesson to learn. Sometimes we simply have to let go and let God. I don’t think I’ve ever visited your blog. But I am following you now and look forward to more of your inspiring posts.
sheena, i think i have come across your blog before, but i enjoyed reading it today:) i was so touched by all the times you have had medical emergencies with your children and “all” you could do was pray. each time GOD rescued you…and them.
this post was a great one…it is a great lesson for life and the life of your chlldren. as they get older, you aren’t always able to protect them in ways you would like. it is wonderful to know GOD is watching over them and you can trust Him to care for them.
two of our 3 daughters are now in their 40’s with children of their own. our youngest daughter will be 40 in a few years. they all have children of their own now too!
each family is different and GOD has placed them in different places to minister in different settings, but it is still the same GOD caring for them and guiding and protecting them:)