Letting Go
Our family of six capped off our summer with the trip to Myrtle Beach with my side of the family. All 21 of us, 13 grandkids and 8 adults, living together for the week is equal parts fun and loud! One afternoon as I sat on the beach, holding our youngest, and watching our oldest play in the waves with his older cousins, I found myself a nervous wreck. Playing out all the scenarios in my head of what could go wrong, and trying to plan how I would help from the shoreline, while holding a baby. Regardless of the fact that there were many other adults helping keep eyes, it’s my job to keep him safe, right?? How could I help him whenever I have zero control?
The ocean is so strong and powerful, the waves dictate how they pull him, and when they let him up to catch a breath or pull him back under with great force. Everyone on the beach knew his name, because I kept yelling “Merrick, you’re too far!” I was in a constant state of prayer, challenging myself to loosen the reins. Later that day while I was taking a walk on the beach and reflecting on how much fun Merrick was having, all while I was terrified, I felt the Lord ask me;
“Do you trust me all the time or just when you feel like you have things under control?”
My defense went up and I started justifying myself; but the ocean is so dangerous, I was using wisdom to protect him, I couldn't see what’s coming next and had zero control over what was happening. Then I realized, that’s the point, that’s life. Life is the ocean; we have no choice but to ride the waves. Sometimes it is gentle and we are able to stay afloat, feeling like we are in control. Other times we are being tossed and pulled in directions that we don’t necessarily want to go. In those moments, are we still trusting the Lord, or are we fighting against Him wearing ourselves out because of a lack of trust?
God is the same God, whether everything is smooth sailing, or falling apart. It’s easy to say we trust God when life is going our way, but it’s when we are being stretched, yet we still trust, that makes the difference. Having the assurance that He is who he says He is, regardless of what the circumstance looks like.
Easier said than done, I know. In moments when trusting feels a little harder, remind yourself of these 3 biblical truths:
Psalm 71:8 “My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.”
Turn worry to worship. Remind yourself of all the times He pulled through for you, or someone you know and simply give him praise for it!! Build your faith like exercising a muscle.
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”
Everything doesn’t always need to make sense. God’s still in the midst of chaos working all things for our good. He has a plan and is not caught off guard.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.”
In order to be able to stand firm while waiting on a promise, we have to be rooted in Him, knowing His plan is higher than ours.
Who’s with me in a trust challenge!? Ask yourselves, “Do I trust Him always or only when I feel I have some kind of control?” If you need to let go of the reins like me, we are in this together and it can only get better!