Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a planning addict. I keep my black and white weekly/monthly planner with me at almost all times, so I can write down anything and everything that comes to my mind. My planner is color coded so that it’s organized and I don’t get too overwhelmed just by glancing at it. My reminder app on my phone is full of things (sometimes irrelevant things) I feel I need to get done as soon as possible.
Being a planner can be a great thing, but it can also be the very opposite. I like to have every single day of my life planned out – next week – next month – even next year.
I am anxious because at the moment, I have absolutely no idea where I am going with my life.
But you see, there’s my problem.....
What am I going to do with MY life??
Better yet, what is my God going to do with my life?
Romans 12:1 says, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
A living sacrifice, huh? Aren't those two totally opposite words?
A sacrifice is defined as: the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher claim.
So we're supposed to sacrifice our bodies... isn't that a little extreme? Is this a mistake?
But, this is where the word "living" comes in to play. God is not wanting us to physically die on an alter. Instead, God wants us to die to ourselves (this includes our selfish concerns and anxious tendencies), and He wants us to live fully for Him.
We are to sacrifice our lives and live every single day to glorify and honor our God.
Anxiety is one of our many selfish concerns that interferes with the "living sacrifice" qualification. My anxiety is a sign that I am not trusting God with all of my heart that He will lead me where He plans to take me. God’s plans for me (and you too!!!!) are so much greater than anything we could ever plan for ourselves!
I have accepted the fact that sometimes God may just surprise me, whether I like being surprised or not. I have let go of everything that worries me and given every one of my doubts and fears to God to handle.
I encourage anyone struggling with anxiety, doubt, or fear of the future to do the same. Life's so much better on this other side!
LET GO AND LET GOD
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:25-34
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.” Psalm 32:8
“For those who love God, all things work together for good.” Romans 8:28
“The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” Isaiah 58:11
“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 27:14
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
