Letting Go

Have you ever wondered what God is doing with your life? What is the purpose for what you are going through? Why do you feel overwhelmed with pain, stress and worry? Why is God taking the things that mean the most away from you?

This is such a simple truth, but I feel it so evident in my life over the past few months. Giving things over to God, that took up so much of my heart, has been such a struggle recently. It's definitely taken some time, but I feel like I have finally been able to let go of the things I have been holding onto so tightly. I can honestly say it feels so relieving to release the control I once thought I needed to have. I thought when I was in charge of things in my life that I could make them go how I had planned. Wow, was I wrong. Lately I have found that when I let God take control I don't have be stressed or worried. I don't have to have the responsibility of having things together all the time and planning out my future, that's God's job. Things might not go how I planned, but when I leave the choices and heavy lifting with Him I know that whatever happens is for my best and He will lead me where He wants me to go.

Recently I was experiencing a hard time in my life that I needed to give things over to God and it left me questioning what He was doing. Although it wasn't any easy choice by giving God control, I realized that true faith was trusting in God even when I didn't know what the future would hold and I couldn't see what was ahead. I felt like everything had been taken from me and I was giving God the one last thing I had. Looking back now I can see that He was there through it all and has never left my side. Now I can see that He was protecting me all along and He knew what was best, when at the time I was so caught up in what I wanted. I've grown closer to Him through this stage of my life and I thank Him for the trials He has brought along the way that have led me closer to Him.

It's neat looking back over this past year and seeing all the ways God has led me to where I am now. It's been a roller coaster of a year, full of enjoyable times, deep struggling, big decisions, searching and growing. Through the trials I experienced I felt like God was giving me more than I could handle, and maybe He was, but I've learned to rely on Him with all circumstances and I don't have to bear them on my own. Just when I didn't think I'd make it through I've found that with God's strength He will always be there to sustain me and help me through the darkest of times.

Remember that God is using the things you are going through right now for an important lesson. The things you have in your life can either be a tool or a temptation, use them wisely. I honestly can say there are many times I've gone the temptation route, but they have taught me to refocus and learn for next time.

Take a few minutes to look back over your life, look at how God has worked and the ways He has provided for you. Maybe you'll find how He has protected you from a wrong decision you would have made or has opened a better door for you. Just remember, whenever you are trusting God amidst a difficult time, know that He will guide you in the way you should go, just remain consistent and steadfast. No prayer to God is ever forgotten. No answer is ever mishandled. His answers are always for our best and in the perfect timing when we are seeking after Him.

Psalm 71:20

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.