Dear Mamas
We’ve recently passed the half-way mark of our country’s official “lockdown” and with Easter weekend upon us, I wanted to share something a little different than the usual blog post with you.
Last week, I experienced anxiety around giving birth during a global pandemic and it got the best of me. I had to really take some time to be still and to create the space to really delve inward and focus on my faith rather than my fear.
Once again, I came to realise just how easy it is to “be positive” and say positive things when things are going well, until you’re in a situation where you really have no control. That moment, where you have to simply trust the unseen is so difficult. As always, God’s Word never fails to bring hope and peace in difficult times and the one thing I was reminded of again was to surrender.
In my quiet time during this Holy Week, I came across an article by Alisa Hope Wagner and I’d love to share her message with you, particularly if you’re struggling with all the uncertainty that’s so prevalent in our lives at the moment. Many people are finding themselves in extremely difficult circumstances and my heart’s desire is that this article would bring you some comfort and encouragement, as it has to me.
Surrender to God: 5 Things to Let Go (Adapted from CBN.com)
Surrendering to God is about showing complete faith in Him and believing in His promises. Just like a child, we can be free from worry. We must simply choose to trust God for everything. If we can trust God for our salvation through Jesus Christ, we can trust Him for our everyday needs and desires.
“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)
What to surrender
Everything. We need to literally give up all control. Surrendering is about admitting to God that we’re simply not big enough to deal with our worries, and asking Him to take over. When we finally let go of all of our worries, we give God room to wield His mighty arm in our lives. When our hands are weak and tired, God’s hands are strong and powerful!
“Powerful is your arm! Strong is your hand! Your right hand is lifted high in glorious strength.” Psalm 89:13 (NLT)
How to Surrender
Surrendering control is a daily, moment-by-moment choice. Like every discipline in life, we must learn to surrender and hand over to God. The enemy seeks every new day to cloud our mind with worries, doubts and fears. The devil wants there to be no room left for God in our lives. Surrendering to God becomes a lifestyle of daily giving it all to Him.
Whenever negative thoughts seek to invade our space, we try to identify and isolate them and hand them to God immediately. God’s mercies are new every morning, so what happened yesterday, last year or a decade ago is completely gone. Carrying the past around will only take up space for God’s goodness, grace, and favour. Renewing our mind in Christ means letting go of all the burdens that He died in order to take from us.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
1. Let go: Your CONTROL
Control is the hardest thing to give up, because without it we feel vulnerable. But we don’t need to worry: God is already in control. We need to recognise His authority and move over to let Him lead. He is the Creator of the Universe, so we can trust Him with each day. Letting go is scary at first, but the freedom and peace in our mind and hearts will be worth it.
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (ESV)
2. Let go: Your WORRY
Worrying doesn’t add a single day to our lives. In fact, worry oppresses us every second. Worry can literally affect not only our minds and hearts, but our bodies too. Worrying absolutely adds no value. Surrender your worry to God and watch your life be uplifted in His favour.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT)
3. Let go: Your MONEY
We tend to hold on tightly to our money. However, God wants to take the reins of our money. Money can become an idol if we place it ahead of God. God wants to bless us, so we need to put our finances in the proper place: In God’s Hands. God will take care of us. We simply need to surrender our money and obey His leading.
“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 (ESV)
4. Let go: Your RELATIONSHIPS
Surrendering to God’s sovereign will in our relationships show that we trust Him with the people we care about. We can’t possibly be everyone’s saviour and hero, but Jesus can. He died on the cross, because He loves all of us, including those who are most precious to us. We can do everything in our power to love and care for those entrusted to us and trust God with the rest.
“And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6:30 (NLT)
5. Let go: Your FUTURE
We can only change one day at a time. Living in the future robs us of the joy of today. Each day is a gift and we miss it when we allow our minds to dwell on all the unknowns. We can trust God with our future, so we can focus on today. Trying to control the future is like trying to control the wind. Contentment in today will prevent our eyes from wandering off to tomorrow.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34 (NIV)
You can find the article here.
xxx
We’re all facing different challenges during this time. Surrendering your fears and keeping your mental health in check by not giving way to anxiety is one of the best things you can do for yourself at the moment.
This period in time is also the most precious opportunity to show our children what it looks like to have faith during uncertainty and to find joy in knowing that everything will be okay.
So, be still. Rest when you can. And give it all to Him!
