LETTING GO & LETTING GOD

LETTING GO AND LETTING GOD

I said, “I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me.” I was mute with silence, I held my peace even from good; and my sorrow was stirred up. My heart was hot within me; while I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue: “Lord, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is as nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.    Psalm 39:1-5  

If I want to be refreshed, I must let go of all the things that trouble me and turn them over to God.  If I don’t guard my ways, my tongue will betray me, and anger will spill out in words I’ll regret.  

When my heart reaches this state, it’s usually because someone has done something I don’t like.  

My heart is stirred up because I’ve been bruised and offended.   Sometimes it’s by someone I love, which makes the pain even worse.  My heart grows heavy because I’m holding on to the situation and not turning it over to God.  

When I’m tired of musing over my problem, I finally speak to God: “Lord, remind me how frail I am.  

Remind me of Your power and sovereignty over my life and over those who speak against this thing that troubles me.”  

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

This is not the end of the world.  God will remind me of my limits to teach me perspective.  Every person at his very best is but a vapor, and all my arguments and stewing will not change that.  

I’m not really angry at the person as much as I am at the words that offended me.  If those words 

were spoken by someone I love, I would be angry at their words, but I wouldn’t love them any less.  

Sometimes the best step is to gently ask if they know I’ve been wounded by what they said; an honest conversation can bring healing. 

But before I confront another, I must first surrender my heart to God.  My purpose is to honor Him, not to seek the approval of others.  I can be angry at what others have said, or I can honor God for who He is.  When I take my problems to God and ask Him to calm my heart, He will grant my request.  Through Jesus Christ, I am given the gift of refreshing prayer.  It’s a powerful tool when I use it well and often.    

 Lord, keep my heart focused on You rather than my agenda and desires.   I desire to trust in You with my whole heart, letting go of everything that keeps me from You, and letting You bless me with Your Presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.