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The prophet Isaiah said, “Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor is his ear too dull to hear” (Isaiah 59:1 NIV). Though I know in my heart this is true, I still sometimes go back and forth between doubt and worry as if God’s arms are short and his ears are dull. My friend Erica does too.
She came to my door with a package to deliver and a story to share. I signed for the package, and we began to catch up. Her kids were grown. Mine were teens. Her daughter had just gotten married. My oldest had just gone to college. Mama to Mama we shared and cared.
“My daughter and her new husband might be moving to Chicago. I have to be honest, Gwen,” she said seriously, “I’m not doing well trusting God with this. I’m struggling with anxiousness and worry.” I listened and nodded with understanding, knowing full well the strain of worry and anxiety.
Then she perked up and shared a story that went something like this…
“God impressed a message on my heart this morning that challenged and convicted me! I ride motorcycles. Have for years. I love the feeling of being out in the open air. It’s exciting and invigorating. When I ride, I feel vulnerable and alert. It’s risky and requires balance, it’s much more difficult than driving my car, but I ride because it energizes me and makes me feel alive.
This morning I rode my bike to work while it was still dark. I don’t usually do that because the headlight is small, so the light is dim. As I was riding, I began to thank God for allowing me to ride my bike to work. I thanked Him for allowing me to feel alive and energized along the way. And as I did, He spoke to my heart. I sensed He was saying, “Erica! This is what I want my relationship with you to be like: exciting, risky, and energizing, like riding your motorcycle! But instead, you take your car with Me. You want to feel safe. You want to see with brighter headlights. You grasp for more control, by worrying and fretting about things you can do nothing about. In doing so, you miss out on a faith that is alive and energizing… a faith that trusts Me and takes risks.”
She shared that story with tears and conviction in her eyes. We were both moved and challenged. It left me with a fresh longing for deeper faith.
I want to ride.
I want to take risks with the star-breathing, mountain-moving, speak-through-a-burning-bush, unpredictable, and unsearchable All-mighty God!
God does not call us to a safe faith. He does not promise that we will have a clear view of all that lies ahead. He does not promise us simplicity. Instead, every day the Lord invites us to embrace a vibrant faith that trusts Him. A faith that is alive and energized, despite the unsteady unknowns. God’s arms are not too short to save, and His ears are not dull to hear. He is powerful, capable, compassionate, merciful, holy, just, and faithful.
These truths should hush our noisy doubts and calm the anxieties that seek to unnerve us.
God is sovereign and His ways are mysterious. And in the center of all of my questions, this one resounds: Who better to trust than God? Myself? Hardly. My paycheck? My medical chart? My emotions? I might as well chase the wind.
In contemplating this, I journey back to what the Bible has to say on such things. “For we live by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV).
“When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3-4 ESV).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).
Is the Lord calling you to trust Him with something or someone today?
Decide to ride.
Dear Lord, Please quiet my anxious heart. Give me the courage to step out in faith, beyond what I can see or attempt to control. I bring these heart burdens to You now ______________. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What has your heart anxious today?
READ Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Consider what your day would look like if you believe this to be true. Spend a few moments in responsive prayer or post a prayer in the comments section to share your heart.
LOVE doing life with you, friend.
GWEN
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Comments 13
O God, I am so afraid of what the future holds. My husband and I are both having surgeries and health problems. I don’t know how we will manage for the summer. He can’t put any weight on his ankle for 2 months. Father, I can’t handle him. My surgery requires no lifting over 5 pounds. What can I do? I feel so helpless. Lord, please heal us and give us strength. In you beautiful name I pray. Amen.
Thank you. I love the feeling of being free living by faith. Yet now as I get older things like health and different challenges seem too difficult for me to live by faith.
I am sure this is because workouts become more intense. As having adult Christian children to make
Their own Godly decisions, is scary for me to become anxious.
I need to trust more in God and less in what world says is success.
Thank you for sharing this with me. I never respond to online stuff like this but I feel like I need to today. My daughter is choosing to estrange herself and her beautiful little family from the entire rest of the family; extended family included. She is not a believer. I pray that soon she will have her eyes, ears and heart opened. It is never too late. Please God, help me with this.
Author
Oh Jackie! I’m so sorry to hear this. I know that must be heart breaking!! The good news is: God is still in the miracle business! Praying right now for your daughter and for you!
In Christ,
GWEN
Jackie, I Praying for you and your daughter ,
Oh me of little faith! Forgive me Father. Why is it so easy for me to believe and have faith when I pray for others, but doubt my prayers? Help my heart, my mind and my soul to believe that what you’ve done and do for others, you will do for me. You already know the outcome, the goodness and the blessings that lie ahead when I put my complete trust in you. Help me to let go and let you do what only you can do. You are always in control and you always have the best plans for me. I love you Lord and I know that my righteousness come from my faith. Like Erica, let me ride on the winds of faith and may I acknowledge your presence is always with me on this wild ride called life. Thank you Jesus for your grace, mercy and protection. Amen.
Author
Yes and AMEN!!! So grateful for this prayer.
Gwen
AMEN, I NEEDED THAT DEVOTIONAL .I SHALL TAKE THE ADVICE AND STAY IN PRAYER.
Author
Awesome! Yes. We must always stay in prayer and live in great expectation of what the LORD will be doing in and around us today. Blessings, friend.
GWEN
Thank you for this message from God this morning I really needed it !!. My mom got told she has a cancerous tumor and she finds out today how bad it is and if it spread. I am also leaving tomorrow on a trip to Israel and it’s snowing here , we have to drive an hour to catch the flight and my husband drives back home. I’m anxious about going overseas flying and safely getting back home and also praying for my mom.
Author
Debra! I hope and pray your trip to Israel is going well!! Thank you for sharing your heart with my community. Praying for your Mom and for you now.
Blessings and peace,
GWEN
My anxious heart feels heavy with burdens. I worry about my Grandson’s autism, my Son’s addiction, my Daughter’s unhappiness and our finances. I know our God is bigger than any of these, but it seems as though no matter how much I pray and praise, things get worse. Help me oh God.
Author
Hi Mary, Thanks for sharing your burdens. Family problems are heavy problems, so we join you in praying for the LORD to show up powerfully in the hearts and lives of your loved ones with you. Here’s a verse to encourage you today… “The LORD gives strength to His people and the LORD blesses His people with peace.” (Psalm 29:11)
In His Strength and Peace,
GWEN