I suspect that at this very moment each of us has at least one big concern on our heart that we are praying about or trying to fix, while at the same time trying to trust God with our issue. It might be a concern over a child, a health crisis, a difficult marital situation, financial stress, job dissatisfaction or a decision that has to be made for elderly parents.
As I contemplate issues like these I’ve realized how easy it is to let them become bigger in my head than my God. I get frustrated. I worry, and I lose perspective.
Some time ago I began to worry about one of my children. The more I thought about this child the more anxious I became. Scary “what if…” phrases began to plague me. I tried to read my Bible and to pray but it did not help. Finally in desperation, I cried out to God, “Help me, Lord!”
Two simple words came into my head–words that were from God, words that would change everything.
“Remember Me.”
I realized that I had let my concern for this child grow and grow. It had become so big in my head that the problem itself became my focus. And I had forgotten who God was.
I had forgotten how very much He loved my child. I had forgotten that He knew my child much better than I did. I had forgotten that He was working in ways that I could not see. He was in this issue. He was totally involved and His love was perfect. He was so much bigger than I gave Him credit for.
It wasn’t that these concepts were new to me. It was more that I wasn’t living day in and day out in the assurance and knowledge of how BIG He is.
This insight has led me on a quest to discover in fresh ways how very big our God is. It’s a lifelong journey that will not end this side of heaven but it’s exciting.
Along the way I’ve learned a few things:
- Your ability to ruin your child is not nearly as great as God’s power to redeem him.
- It’s not all up to us! At this very moment Jesus is sitting at the right hand of the Father praying for your child (and you!) What a relief. (Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34)
- God gives us the exact kids we need, not merely so that we can raise them, but that they might be His tools in our lives to grow us up into the women He has created us to be. It’s helpful to ask, “What are you teaching me through this child, O Lord?”
- Natural growth involves becoming independent. However, spiritual growth involves becoming more dependent. God loves it when I fall on my face and cry out to Him in great need. He will always answer–in His time and in His ways. He does what is best not necessarily what is fast, and He’s working while we are waiting.
God is so much bigger than I realize and He longs to reveal Himself to you and to me.
Will you join me on a journey to discover more of Him?
As we begin to see more and more of Him we will find that our issue begins to diminish. It doesn’t completely go away. We are fallen people in a fallen world. However, it can settle into its proper perspective.
If you enjoyed this post by my friend Susan Yates, check out her new book Risky Faith: Becoming Brave Enough to Trust the God Who Is Bigger Than Your World. You’ll find personal stories and insights, like the post above, about how Big our God is and be reminded that He’s greater than any hard place you find yourself in. -Barbara
Join Susan’s community on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Dear Lisa,
Thank you for being so vulnerable and sharing your struggles with us. For years I have found my self in a deep depression along with other struggles, that come with it that are so painful, I can’t even mention. I bear this by myself in fear what others my think you me! Actually, most christians cannot handle heavy trials. I found my self questioning my salvation, or actually his salvation. I know that a true believer salvation can never be unbroken. The enemy of our souls concerns is to attack that faith. With all his might. We must fight with all of our might, or sometime cry into the arms of our Savior.
You are not alone!
I’m really, really struggling to believe this. I thought I believed it until something so huge happened to one of our children. It’s so rare that there are very few books or other sources of information about the subject. I am reading the Psalms as a way to cry out as David did so many times. So far, it’s not working (that I can see). I feel like someone has dropped me off, not in a different country, but a whole other planet. I can barely breathe. I have no point of reference. I keep losing sight of “true north” because I’m not even sure what that means anymore. Friends are sympathetic and are faithful to pray for us, but no one has “an answer”. Even the experts aren’t very reassuring. It’s all very trial and error…mostly error. I cry every time I hear the song “I Need the Every Hour” which is on my walking playlist. I have never “needed” the Lord more than now.
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