How are you doing with processing the news and current events these days? Are you worried about the future, as war rages around the world? Or are you going about your life as if all that evil is happening over there and will never affect you? Are you wondering what will happen in our country after so much corruption and evil has been allowed far too long, if your children will have a decent college to go to, if you’ll have a job, if you’ll have enough money to retire, if all the criminals who freely crossed the border will now show up at your doorstep, if we will go to war, too?
We have a Sovereign One who holds our future in His hands. Nothing happens except that He allows it. And if He as allowed it, then He has a plan. We may not be able to see yet all the many ways He will work evil out for good (Romans 8:28), but we do know this: No matter how many other good things God is doing, He is ALWAYS drawing us closer to Himself. So, walk that way and you’ll find yourself on His perfect pathway through every fire, with Him holding you every step of the way.
Surrender is the key. When we surrender our thoughts, hopes, worries, family, heart, life … EVERYTHING over to the Lord and ask Him how HE sees that situation we’re going through or that person we think is causing all our problems, He changes everything. He shows us what He’s doing, helps us love even our enemies, and chases out fear to flood us with peace like only He can give. 1 John 4:18, Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:6-7.
Let’s stop a moment and do that now. Whatever worries or angers you, lay all of your opinions and anxious thoughts down at Jesus’ feet. Go ahead and tell Him what you think of that person or situation, if you need to, and even beat on His chest, like Job did. It’s certainly broad enough and His heart of grace strong enough to take it and keep on beating with love for you. He cares what you’re going through.
But then, leave it all there. At His feet. And ask Him how He sees that person or situation. Let Him show you His perspective.
If you’re not accustomed to listening to the Lord, this free guide to knowing God’s voice below can be helpful:
If you still aren’t sure what He’s saying, just leave that question in His lap, with your opinions laid down in surrender at His feet. Isaiah 55:8-9. Trust that He will show you. He may want to use a passage in Scripture or a situation in the next few days to answer you. But to be sure it’s His voice you’re listening to and not your own, someone else’s or even the enemy’s, run it through the guide to knowing God’s voice above.
As we surrender every thought, plan and situation into the hands of the One who knows where He’s taking us — partnering together with Him to shine His light into the darkness — He crushes Satan’s plans and brings forth His. That’s when miracles begin to happen. When we truly step into the purposes He has set forth for us. He gives us a front row seat to watch Him move.
Lord, teach me how to completely surrender to You. I know there are many battles ahead that our family will face this coming year, so I call on You, O God, to be Lord over every situation and difficulty, even before it arises. Give me a grateful heart that looks to You, trusts in Your sovereignty, love and faithfulness, and leads others to also surrender to You. I want to do only what You are doing, Lord. Don’t let me take on tasks that You have not called me to or please people who will never be pleased. For if I am pleasing man rather than You, then I am not a servant of Christ but of man (Galatians 1:10), and I will miss the joy of being held in Your hand, immersed in Your perfect plan. My heart is still so filled with pride and doing things my own way. Forgive me, Lord, and show me how to step out in humility, in submission and total dependence on You. Tune my heart to Your truth every moment, and tear down every lie that wants to control me. Show me others through Your eyes so I can join with You in what You’re doing in their lives and mine. Show me every trial the way You see it, and the things You are doing in the midst of it, so I can join You in that. Empower me to shine for You in the midst of the darkness, to give to You my year, month, day and every moment, so You will use me for Your glory. Re-tune my heart to beat to the rhythm of Yours. Transform my mind to be in line with the mind of Christ. Teach me to love my enemies and do good to those who hate me, to pray for my leaders rather than slander them, to bless those who are not blessing me. I want to be Your light in this dark world. I want You to fill me with Your love and grace and use me to bring forth miracles, to speak Your truth so that lives are changed forever. I want to use what few hours I have in every day walking as one with You and doing things Your way. Not my own. Teach me how to walk in oneness with You. Teach me to humbly surrender every moment and plan into Your hands. May the Truth You are become the truth I live. Yes, I surrender all to You, O Lord, for great is Your faithfulness forever. Make me also faithful to You.
For Dare to Be a Mighty Warrior, and the accompanying Prayer Journal, Power Planner, the women’s version, Delight to Be a Woman of Wonder, and other resources to overcome during these trying times, visit MoreThanAConquerorBooks.com.
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Mikaela Vincent and her husband are missionaries who live by faith, trusting in God to provide for their needs as they pray for and share Christ with the nations. If you would like to help their ministry through a donation, or by shopping at Mikaela’s online bookstore, click the buttons below:
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