We all desire to be known and understood. God knows you. He knows you fully. He created you. He loves you. He desires to be known by you too. He longs for a personal relationship with each of us.
The Lord is always speaking to us. He speaks to us in so many ways: Through His Word, through creation, to our hearts through His comfort, and through others. He has something to share with us to encourage us, to guide us, through all of life’s scenarios, even this one.
God’s Word, the Bible, covers it all! (I often go to the back of the Bible, or search my app, for a specific topic I am wrestling with or emotion I am experiencing, to find verses that help me in that particular area.) It shows us who He is and the many things He has done.
Of all of the wonderful attributes that describe God’s character, time and again, the Bible reminds us He is strong, and that His strength is put to work for our protection: “God is our refuge and strength (mighty and impenetrable), a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear though the earth should change” (Psalm 46:1-2).
God is showing us, over and over in His Word and throughout our lives, that when we put our trust in Him – in His strength, not our own, we no longer need to worry. We can leave the God-sized work to God and employ peace in our everyday lives.
Yes, it can be a process to hand our burdens over, but it is one that is so far beyond worth it, in order to access the peace God has for us. The question is, “How do you hand over burden and trade it for peace?”
I don’t know everything, but I can share what I have personally experienced in my life:
- Recognize you don’t “have this.” (I used to self-talk myself with, “I’ve got this,” when I clearly didn’t.) Face the reality that you are not strong enough to handle this on your own.
- Acknowledge you are drowning, your way out hasn’t cut it, and you need help!
- Begin a conversation with God. It can be this simple, “Hi God, I need your help!”
- Ask Him for forgiveness. This is an acknowledgement you were wrong – you are not in control. (You will feel better, really! He is so forgiving! You will be relieved.)
- Ask the Lord to show you what is creating worry in your life. Ask Him to show you what needs to go:
An unhealthy relationship?
A habit that is perpetuating fear?
Negative influences, like dramatic shows or downer music?
I don’t know, and I’m not judging. Ask Him! He will help clarify what is at the root of your worry. - Replace the yuck with life-giving relationships, life-giving habits and positive input and influences.
For me, I recognized music that made me melancholy; shows that overstimulate my mind and adrenaline, robbing me of sleep; relationships that drain me; and needless tasks that oversaturate my day, stealing my energy.
When we talk to God, ask Him to take the worry, and to give us His strength, He does. He gives us peace supernaturally through His Holy Spirit. He also points us to practical steps that lead us to peace. Being the mess I am, and seeing the Lord bring about healing and help in my life, I know He can change things around for the positive in anyone’s situation – even yours, no matter what you are facing.
The Lord reminds us all today, “Be still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will exalted in the earth” (Psalms 46:10).
Sarah Guldalian 