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While tenacity and perseverance are generally good qualities, sometimes I go too far. In my enthusiasm, I overstep my boundaries and engage in battles that aren’t mine to fight.
I try to compel others to love God through the sheer force of my will and the power of my passion. I assume that every spiritual battle requires me to go to the mat and wrestle with God to force him to do what he’s already promised. In typical “works theology,” I believe if I pray, beg, and plead long and loudly enough, God will reward my efforts. But I am presumptuous and faithless when I attempt to fight battles that don’t belong to me.
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Yet other times call me to “stand still (cease striving in my own self-effort) and see the deliverance of the Lord” (Ex. 14:13). Only quiet talks with God can discern which is which. And ultimately, every battle is the Lord’s.
“. . . they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him. . . . and many fell dead, because the war was God’s” (1 Chron. 5:20, 22).
What do you care so much about that you’re unable to surrender it to God? How’s that working for you? Will you surrender it today?
Leave a comment below and join the conversation.
I'm SO EXCITED to be presenting a Christian Devotion Writing Workshop on Saturday, Aug. 11 at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte, N.C., sponsored by Debbie Somjak's Unfolded Hearts Ministry. Here's the scoop:
Do you have a desire to
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**Registration Required, space is limited: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO. Cost $25
Hungry for God is on Facebook! Will you take a moment and LIKE my page? CLICK HERE to help HFG share 5-minute devotions.
Good thoughts here, Lori. Yes, I've been there and done that. I think the hardest thing to surrender is a non-Scriptural belief that God will change every heart and cause every person I love to do the right thing if I do the right things. God never offered that promise.
ReplyDeleteI pray your workshop goes well...sounds like a great opportunity. Let me know if you have time to visit while you're in my area.
Excellent post Lori. There are so many battles that I am unable to count. Recently it's been my fear with homeschooling. I just started, and the fear is endless. I just need to remind myself, that God has aligned everything for this path, and I just need to set my fears aside. Just reminding myself these things lets me know that my fear is placed to stop me doing from what I believe is right for my family. Stopping by from Pink Mama Blog Hop.
ReplyDeleteKalley,
DeleteHomeschooling is a daunting task, but if God calls you, he will also equip you, provide for you, and use you in your children's lives. Our family homeschooled for 17 years, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat!
I'm with you on this - I too fight battle that are not mine. After many times of ending up in a complete mess as a result of this tendency I hope I can say that I am learning what to leave to God. Thanks for linking up at Essential Fridays. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mel, how right you are -- taking matters into our own hands is ineffective at best, and dangerous at worse. When will we learn?????
DeleteI use to find myself sucked into the same trap of wanting to fight my children's battles. It wasn't until I turned everything over to God that I found peace to deal with their conflicts.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing we all can identify with on various levels!