Most of us have felt abandoned by God at one time or another. We have tried—and failed—to control situations we were never meant to control. Even though we might be saved, many of us find it hard to fully surrender every aspect of our lives to God and to give him control of the heartbreaking circumstances in which we find ourselves. We have become slaves to sin, believing that “if it’s to be, it’s up to me.” How arrogant of us to think that we know better than the One who created us and sent his one and only Son to die on a cross for our sin! How might our pride and failure to surrender ourselves, problems, and loved ones keep God from accomplishing his will in our lives?
The apostle Paul wrote, “We are experiencing all kinds of trouble, but we aren’t crushed. We are confused, but we aren’t depressed. We are harassed, but we aren’t abandoned. We are knocked down, but we aren’t knocked out” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9, CEB). As a Christ-follower, he knew that his hope could be found in Jesus Christ, the power of God, and the truth of God’s Word. He knew that God can turn our trials into testimonies so that others may come to know him. He goes on to write, “We always carry Jesus’ death around in our bodies so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies. We who are alive are always being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake so that Jesus’ life can also be seen in our bodies that are dying…So we aren’t depressed. But even if our bodies are breaking down on the outside, the person that we are on the inside is being renewed every day. Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:10-11, 16-18).
“It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery” (Galatians 5:1, NIV). God only wants his best for us, yet we live as if we know better than God. True freedom comes from being fully surrendered to God.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:8-12, NIV).
Jesus is our ONLY hope! Will you trust him enough to surrender your life to Jesus, who died for your sins, and begin your life of victory through a personal relationship with him? He is waiting. He has promised never to leave or forsake you, but you must take the first step by inviting and placing your trust in Him.
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