Lay It Down- Give it to God

Lay It Down- Give it to God

I recently saw a facebook post from a friend (source is unknown) about a story of letting go of those things that cause you stress.

A psychology professor walked around a room while teaching a lesson on stress management to the class.  As the professor raised a glass of water, everyone in the class expected that they’d be asked the typical “is the glass half empty or half full” question.  All prepared their answers in their minds.  Some students were ready to say “half empty” because life is a struggle.  Other students who study positive psychology and strengths approaches were set with the “half full” because we need to focus on the strengths in the situation.  And still others, the science majors in the room, were ready to say that the glass is always full because air occupies the other space not occupied by the water. 

Instead, with a smile the professor inquired, “I ask you to consider how heavy this glass of water is?” Not expecting this question the students took a moment to collect their responses.  The students began calling out answers that ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz. The professor replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it.”  The students looked puzzled because the professor had clearly asked about the weight of the glass of water. 

The professor continued, “If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. But if I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. Finally, if I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes and the weaker my arm seems to become.”

Continuing the professor summed up the lesson by saying, “The stresses and worries of life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a short time and nothing really happens.  We can handle it.  It's just the normal flow of life. As you think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt and invade your thoughts.  You begin to give focus and attention to the pain.  And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed – incapable of doing anything.  The pain and hurt becomes too large to handle or deal with.  The issues have taken over your life.”

 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

We need to remember that through keeping our focus on Christ we will never be given more than we can handle.  It is through Christ and His unending love for us that we can let go of wrongs and hurts done to us.  Today it seems commonplace and so casual to have a “my hurt is bigger than your hurt” pity party.

As this worked in my post yesterday, it works here too so I will repeat the statement, “Jesus has said that we can do it; we can keep going, we can live in victory because He has already overcome the world!  ‘Regardless of how far you may have fallen, God wants to raise you up and restore you to His perfect plan for your life’ (Joyce Meyer)” (Focus on the Way, Crossfire Leadership, 1/8/2014).

We all need to be reminded to let go and let God and we need to put the glass down.  We need to lay our cares, struggles, shame, and other issues at the feet of Jesus at the cross through prayer.  We need to abound in His love for us and have faith that God will move the pieces that need to be moved so that we can have the life that He has set before us.  God's nature is love.  Wherever love reigns, God reigns.  Hatred, stress, and weakness is from Satan.  The enemy wants us in a weak position; a position of powerlessness.  Love is from God.  We need to keep that in the right focus.  Just as the Israelites received the manna they needed each day as they left Egypt, we will through God and a faith in Jesus Christ we will be given the strength that we need to face any situation.  Anything God has shown me to do I have faith that He has given me the power to do it.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

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