When We Lay Something Down

 Consumed.

Obsessed.

Preoccupied.

Burdened.

There’s so many different words to describe the feeling deep inside me when I’m struggling with something I cannot control.

Even as I pray, I can tell I’m only halfway handing it over to God in my heart; because at the very same time I’m  already planning the next way I can “do something” to make things better.

If I just………………

or

If I could only……………….

or

Maybe, if I try………………….

The list goes on and on of all the “I”deas I come up with for ways to make things better

while deep inside I know I have no power.

I know it’s really not up to me.

And most of all I know it never will be.

So what do I when I’m holding on tightly to something I’m pretending to hand over to God?

What do I do when my mind goes straight to this situation every time I slow down enough to think freely?

First, I have to recognize the biggest problem is me.

I have to look straight into a mirror and come face-to-face with the reality that I am trying to be God rather trust in God.

Second, I have to admit that I’m powerless alone.

I have to face the fact that no amount of plotting or planning on my part will make things better..

Third,  I have to do more than pray.

That’s right.

Prayer alone means nothing.

I have to pray and believe.

This means no more sputtering out of empty words.

No more, “Please, Lord,” moments followed by hours of  fretting.

If I truly believe in the power of prayer, something has to change deep inside me.

Once I grasp the truth that prayer is powerful I should be freed up to walk away from whatever it is that has been dragging me down………………..

No matter how complicated or hurtful or overwhelming.

This brings me to the last thing I have to do when something in life is getting the best of me-

I have to lay it down.

I have to totally release my grasp, let go, brush my hands off, and walk away.

Not looking back.

Not just hoping for the best.

But trusting in His power.

This is not an easy task.

It’s actually the hardest thing in the world for me to do.

But I believe it’s the biggest step toward spiritual freedom and the only way to truly free God up to do His mighty work.

So, like Abraham, I take my Isaac (my worry, my problem, my stronghold, my obsession, my decision), whatever it is that I’m holding onto way too tightly, and I lay it down.

I trust that God has a plan – a ram in the bushes, an escape, a way out, an answer……………………

and I walk away confident that He who created me is able to create solutions, bring peace, provide answers, make a way.

Jesus willingly laid down everything for me and you.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

John 10:18

Why do I so often struggle to lay down everything for Him?

Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me?

John 13:38

We are not alone in this race.

As we lay everything down, crowds are cheering us on.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off  (or lay down) everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Hebrews 12:1

If you find yourself consumed with something this morning, recognize that the biggest problem may be you, accept the fact that you are powerless alone, realize that prayer is not enough – you have to believe in the power of  your prayers, and then LAY DOWN whatever it is that consumes you.

God has a plan.

There’s a ram in the bushes.

He’s already made a way.

Trust Him today.