Recently I wrote an article about our thoughts being the key to turning our life around with the help of Jesus. We stop the way we think, line our thoughts up with what the Bible says, and we are on our way. Right? For me, and I know many others, it usually isn’t that simple, because we tend to complicate everything. This is one of those times when I get so frustrated with myself. I tend to analyze everything. I over think the problem. I need a pair of spiritual blinders like the ones they put on horses to keep them from being spooked, and that keep them focused, helping them to block out distractions.
A horses’ first reaction is to run from anything they consider could be a danger. When God starts working in certain areas of my life, running is my first instinct. And when God chases me down or refuses to allow me to run, my next system of defense is to analyze the situation…over and over again. It has taken me a while to realize none of that really works and yet for some reason, I instinctly return to the same process. (Maybe I need to change the way I think, lol).
It could be because in the abuse, one learns to try to figure out why the abuse and what we can do to stop it. Again, none of it works, because it isn’t ourselves that is causing the abuse. And we can’t control others. But we learn to run from the pain. Like a horse, it is that fight or flight instinct in us when we feel we are out of our comfort zone and God starts poking His finger into the hurting places of our heart.
There was a post on Facebook about wishing we could be put in a dryer and come out 2 sizes smaller. It made me think about a “booth” that God could put us in, wave a magic wand over us, and poof, we are changed. But, back to reality, it is usually a process that God takes us on. We can think of it as a journey, a trip. There is a beginning, a middle and an end. The middle part is when we lose our vision, find ourselves in some desert, lost with no idea where we are, we don’t have the answers, and we don’t have a map showing us the way out.
We panic, get angry and frustrated and unsure of how to get out of this mess. But God has us. He is our strength. He knows the beginning, middle and end. He tells us in His Word, Matthew 11:28-30, “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Running doesn’t help. Our problems follow us wherever we go. Analyzing doesn’t help. If we’ve never been in this place before, in this situation, we don’t have all the answers, so it is like trying to problem solve with missing information. I hope you noticed in verse 29 that it says “learn of me”. That means seeking Him, reading the Bible, studying, praying…dropping to our knees and crying out to Jesus is the only answer that works. We have to realize that while we He does have the answer, we have a part in this journey too and we must learn to submit, surrender, yield and obey Him. (*1 see endnotes).
That’s a mouthful. We must decide we want Jesus and His ways, even when things aren’t going our way or how we think they should. I know from experience. For years I was so focused on wanting the abuse to stop, that I didn’t understand what God was trying to tell me and do for me. That’s why I wasted so many years not being right with Him, and not seeing much of anything change.
I’m learning. It is our human nature that makes us want to “self-preserve”. Only it doesn’t really work. When troubles or problems come, or when Jesus wants to poke around in those places of pain, I encourage you to take a trip to the Cross. It has literally changed my life. Ask God to help You. Find a quiet place and tell Him to show You how to do this. Close your eyes and envision yourself standing at the foot of Calvary’s hill. Envision Jesus holding out His hand to you.
It’s His right hand, the powerful hand that raised Jesus from the dead. He’s waiting on you. As you take His hand, imagine yourself walking up that hill with Him to the Cross. See Him as He hung on that Cross, crucified for you. Look up and see the anguish and pain in His eyes. But also, the love as He sees you standing there. Kneel down before that Cross, at His feet and let His Blood cover you, protect you and comfort you. Receive Him as your Savior, ask Him for to forgive your sins. He suffered and died for you. He’s waiting on you.
We don’t have the answer. We are lost without Jesus, even when we don’t realize we are. Let Him hold You in His strong arms while He shows you the way.
The definitions to the words, submit, surrender, yield and obey, can be somewhat similar, but when we give in to Jesus, He gives us beauty for ashes… Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
This life is only the beginning. It is easy to get lost and frightened and stressed out, not knowing where to turn. Jesus is the answer. If you read through some of the other articles on this website; EzekielHeartofFleshMinistries.org, they tell my story. Actually, they tell the story of how Jesus has transformed me. My biggest regret is not understanding what He was trying to tell me years ago. Don’t wait any longer. Seek Him while He may be found.
Endnotes:
[1] Submit: accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person. give in, yield, give way, back down, cave in, bow, capitulate, relent, defer, agree, consent, accede, conform, acquiesce, comply, accept, surrender, lay down one’s arms, raise/show/wave the white flag, knuckle under, humble oneself, bend the knee, kowtow, fall; informal throw in the towel.
Surrender: capitulate, give in, give (oneself) up, yield, concede, submit, climb down, give way, defer, acquiesce, back down, cave in, relent, succumb, quit, crumble; relinquish possession of (something); give (something) up
Yield: go along with, be guided by, heed, note, pay attention to; grant, permit, allow, sanction, warrant
Obey: comply with the command, direction, or request of (a person or a law); submit to the authority of, do what someone says, take/accept orders from, carry out/follow the orders of, be dutiful to, heed
In the Arms of Jesus
