Many pains come to the wicked,
but the one who trusts in the Lord
will have faithful love surrounding him.
- Psalm 32:10
Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer.
- Romans 12:12
It's so easy to get discouraged these days. Sometimes the places God takes us and the situations He allows in our life just seem to overwhelm us. Life can feel as out of control as it truly is...out of our control anyway. We can feel like a swimmer in the ocean being pounded by the waves. Just when we reach the surface recovering from the last wave that pushed us under, here comes another wave before we can even catch a good breath. It seems like it takes all the energy we have not to drown or be swept out to sea.
We long to return to a sense of security and comfort in our circumstances. We want the chaos to stop so that we can feel like we're in control again. But in truth, the realization that the things happening to us, in us and around us are out of control is actually a good thing. The false sense of security we get when things are going good is really more dangerous than swimming in a turbulent sea.
Control is an illusion, and when we feel we are secure in ourselves and our situation we fail to realize the danger we are in from hidden rip tides. Only God is in control, and when He allows difficulties in our lives they always serve a purpose. Sometimes that purpose is to teach us to rely on Him and not our own strengths, wisdom, health or other assets. Sometimes it may be to show us an area where we are not yet as surrendered to Him as we should be or have strayed from His will. It may be something else entirely and have more to do with how what we are going through can shine a light for someone else and give God glory. But along with all of those and any other purposes that the stormy sea may serve, it always provides the opportunity to push us closer to Him.
When we feel overwhelmed and battered by the waves, we can always cry out to Jesus. His love is unfailing, and His grace is always sufficient. There will come a time when He will speak peace to the storm and calm the waves. There will be a time when all will be made right and we will be lifted from the water and restored. This may not come as quickly as we would like, but it will come. When everything is coming apart and overwhelming us, we can wail against the waves and shake an angry fist at the God who allowed the storm and set the tide in motion. This will allow us the energy of anger to keep up the futile fight, and we can continue to struggle until we drown in self-pity. Or we can let the current take us closer to the One who made the seas, who walks on the waters, and who has the power to save and restore. One choice brings life, no matter how high or hard the waves break. The other way is misery, exhaustion and eventual drowning. The choice is ours to make. It is the only control we truly posses.
Unshackled Life Ministries is grateful for every person that reads the daily Unshackled Moments and or listens to the messages. I want to thank those who have clicked "like" on something that blessed or ministered to them. It is encouraging to know that God is using this ministry to help and bless others. Please remember that if God used something from this ministry to help, encourage or bless you, it could also bless someone else. Would you help get the devotions to more people by sharing the Moments and messages that you read or listen to? Hitting the share button instead of or in addition to the like button will help us reach more people with the good news of freedom and the encouragement to live an Unshackled Life. Thank you and God bless.
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