“Yours, O Lord, are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all” —1 Chronicles 29:11(NRSV).
More than once I’ve said to friends, “I don’t know how people make it through life without Jesus.”
Since rededicating my life to Him almost 15 years ago, I’ve had my share of trouble. While having Jesus in your life doesn’t exclude you from trials, you can bet He’s by your side when those times come. And they will come in the form of financial, physical, emotional and relational struggles.
Evangelist Billy Graham once said, “Even the securest financial plan and the finest health coverage aren’t enough to hold us steady when the challenges come. We need something more, something deeper and unshakeable, something that will see us through life’s hard times.”
Before I had a personal relationship with my Savior and Lord, trials would send me into a tailspin. I’d rant, and then panic, before trying to find a solution. That’s because I was relying on myself. I thought I had to solve everything on my own. My pride wouldn’t let me admit I couldn’t fix everything and everyone. It just doesn’t work.
What does work is submitting ourselves to Jesus. While we can wrestle for control, ultimately, we’re not in charge. We only think we are.
In a recent “Mornings with Jesus” devotional, author Susanna Foth Aughtmon, wrote, “Lately, I’ve been trying to be the lord of my life. And I have this picture in my mind of Jesus sitting back on His heels taking in my chaos and my sorry attempts at controlling my circumstances and my astounding lack of resources and saying, ‘So how is that working for you?’ Of course, He knows it is absolutely not working for me and mostly, I am a wreck. So today I am trying something different. I am going to let Him be Lord. Because…He is, I know it will make a difference.”
Although it has taken me many years to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, I’m so glad I did. Since then, I’ve learned He is in control. He is the One who opens doors. He is the One who always makes a way. He is the One who provides healing. And, He is the One who brings peace—a peace that only comes when you surrender to Him.
In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest—all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
If you don’t already start your day with Jesus, spend some time with Him in prayer. Then, invite Him to be in charge of your life. During the day, seek His guidance when you have a decision to make.