Pastor's Ponderings, December 17, 2018

We are blessed to have a guest author for this weeks Pastor’s Ponderings, Dr. Malika Fair.

Giving Up Vs. Giving It Over

Life can get stressful and often times we feel like giving up. We want to give up on that colleague that continues to undermine us at work...that boss that doesn’t seem to recognize our accomplishments...the relationship with a family member or friend that seems impossible to repair. We feel like giving up on ever being ahead in our finances, ever being well in our mind or bodies, or ever experiencing romantic love. We feel like we can’t help but give up on our children for refusing to listen to wise counsel, our spouse for mistreating us, or society for making us feel invisible. The list can go on and on, but we have an alternative to giving up, we can give it over.

The Bible says that we are to cast our cares upon God for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He says that we will have troubles in this world, but we are to take heart because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). God will give us strength when we are too tired to go on (Isaiah 40:31), and reassure us that He is with us always (Deuteronomy 31:6) We aren’t supposed to worry about anything, but pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). We have a choice - we can burden our minds and bodies with countless challenges that we all face or we can give it to the One who can handle it much better.

We have to remember that He knows what he is doing and has it all planned out. He plans to take care of us, not abandon us, and give us a great future (Ephesians 3:20-21). We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to experience His goodness and love. He wants us to have peace and joy while we are living on this earth (Psalm 27:13-14).

Just try it for a day. Write down everything that you feel is “wrong with your life,” everything that vexes you and pray about it. Then leave it at His feet. When you feel sad or start to worry throughout the day remember that you gave it over to God that morning. There’s no need to worry about a problem that someone else has promised to solve. He’s a big God and He wants to take care of it for you.  Don’t give up, give it over to Him.

1 Peter 5:7
New International Version (NIV)
7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

John 16:33
New International Version (NIV)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Isaiah 40:31 New International Version (NIV)

31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Deuteronomy 31:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Philippians 4:6
New International Version (NIV)

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Ephesians 3:20-21
New International Version (NIV)

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Psalm 27:13-14
New International Version (NIV)

13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.