Reliance

Psalm 33:16-17, "The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. Don't count on your warhorse to give you victory--for all its strength it cannot save you" (NLT).

I love to be prepared. In fact I'm pretty OCD about it. If you've ever gone on a trip with me you know I pack for every possible contingency (much to the amusement of my companions--until they need something I've packed that is).

If I'm not prepared I freak out. If I stumble across a contingency I didn't anticipate I panic.

Sometimes I pray in the morning and ask God to help me focus on Him throughout the day, but by lunch time I've already forgotten His presence and His truth and have started trying to solve life's problems on my own.

But God's word says all the things we rely on--including ourselves--can't save us. Every manmade solution we find ourselves pouring our emotions, and energy, and financial resources into is not guaranteed to work.

We do not live by our own resources or abilities; we live by the grace of God alone. It's true, God gives us gifts that we're supposed to use for His glory. He's given us talents and discernment to use in situations. But the moment our grip grows tighter and the fear takes control is the moment we've forgotten the God who loves us and provides for us. The God who's in control.

I have so much more peace when I place the outcome in my Heavenly Father's capable hands and then set out to do the work He's called me to do. But when I forget Him and become consumed by and dependent on my own work I forget His grace and am filled with fear, stress, and anxiety.

Psalm 33:18-22, "But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the LORD. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone" (NLT).