Discover Freedom by Depending on God

A couple of weeks ago, I shared a vulnerable and life-changing moment with you. A miraculous God-encounter disguised as our usual weekly visit to church. (If you missed that devo, you can read it here.)

You see, at the time I thought my weariness came as a result of troubles my family was going through. I didn’t think I’d be happy again until we got past our problems. 

Everyone has a mountain to climb now and then, and I hoped we could just hold on until we made it to the other side. I wanted a downward slope where I could breathe and enjoy the view for a while. But God knew I needed more than to hold on and get through it. I sensed the need to search my heart and allow God to “renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

I faced a convicting truth that defining day at church. God gave me a choice. I could continue to live with doubt, worry, and weariness, or I could find freedom. I said I trusted Him to provide for my needs and protect my family. But did I depend on Him enough to actually receive joy in the midst of my problems?

Find Freedom Through Your Dependence on God.

Once I renewed my commitment to give these burdens back to God, something amazing happened. 

I didn’t walk out of church that day with a resolution or changed circumstances. The problem didn’t go away, but I’m totally okay with that, because I left with something even better. I left with a renewed freedom in Jesus Christ that brought a bounce back to my step I’d forgotten I had. I found joy in letting God be God.

Finding Joy in Letting God Be God

When we find ourselves stuck in a hopeless place, our loving Father tells us there’s so much more to this abundant life He offers. If we wait for life to calm down before enjoying our dependence on God, we will miss out on the unspeakable joy He created just for us.

It is possible to enjoy life, even when we’re facing one battle after another. In the middle of our struggles, we have joy through His presence. Even when problems persist, God gives us reason to rejoice. Let’s reclaim the peace and rest God gave us, so that we can enjoy freedom as we trust in Him.

I’ve created a special resource just for you— my community here in this online home. It came out of a difficult time, one where I realized how deeply I needed a right-now promise from God for my current season. It’s called 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart.

Enter your email below and I’ll send you a link to download the printable list.

This post is a portion of Kristine’s article, “How to Enjoy Your Dependence on God,” originally published on iBelieve.com.

Discover Rest by Depending on God

What did I do wrong? How can I fix this? If only I’d done it this way instead. Have you ever noticed how thoughts start small, then grow and grow until they totally consume you? Then, it seems nearly impossible to turn them off. They play on repeat in your mind, even when you try to find rest.

What It Means to Rest in God

Nothing zaps my strength like carrying around a burden that was never meant for me. I can begin my day with an inspiring devotion, Scripture reading, and prayer, and still catch myself agonizing over life’s messes a few minutes later. It’s in those moments I need to reaffirm my belief that God is in control of my situation. I do this by asking myself the following questions.

Do I believe God holds me in the palm of His hand?

“He made my words like a sharp sword. He hid me in the palm of his hand. He made me into a sharpened arrow. He took good care of me and kept me safe.” (Isaiah 49:2)

Do I believe God has good intentions for me and my family?

“For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Do I believe God can do a better job of handling this problem than I can?

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)

Resting in God means trusting in Him. And as we trade thoughts of turmoil with affirmations from God’s word, we will feel joy return and find the rest God gives to those He loves.

Are you feeling your strength zapped? Could it be that you’re carrying around a burden God didn’t intend for you to carry? There is hope today. Spend a few minutes with the verses above and find renewed rest through your dependence on God.

Let’s pray this prayer together as we rediscover rest by depending on God:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I believe you hold me in the palm of your hand. You are my protector, so I have no need to fear or worry about what this day will bring.

I believe you have good intentions for me and my family. You have always been faithful. Help me remember those times when I couldn’t see a way out, but you provided exactly what I needed. Thank you for your goodness, Lord.

I believe you can do a much better job of handling this problem than I can. I release it to you today, and when I’m tempted to start worrying again, I will renew my trust in you by reading promises from your Word.

Thank you for being my strength, my portion, and my source of peace. Thank you for rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

For more of God’s promises to guide you in prayer as you trust Him more, join the community here at my online home and get a free digital download, 100 of God’s Promises for Your Unraveled Heart. Enter your email below if you haven’t already subscribed, and I’ll send it to you.

This post is a portion of Kristine’s article, “How to Enjoy Your Dependence on God,” originally published on iBelieve.com.