You are His, and no one else’s

I come from a family that makes a lot less than most families. I come from a family that grew used to not having privileges that others considered to be rights. I come from a family that always has bills left to be paid. I come from a family that has endured a lot.

But we have never wanted. We have always had everything we needed. We have never missed a Christmas, there has always been gifts under the tree and gifts in the stockings. We have never gone hungry, there has always been food in the pantry (albeit, not food most people find in their pantry). We have always had fun, without spending money. We have always been clothed, not fashionable in any stretch of the word, but we have never walked around naked. God provides for us, because we are His. In fact, the children don’t even realize the financial standing of the family. They don’t even know or understand that most people make more money, most people have more luxuries. It’s because never once have our parents complained. Never once have we ever wanted for the things we need. God provides for us, because we are His.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33-34

Do not worry about tomorrow! Do not worry about superficial things, such as money, food, clothing, shelter. Let these things worry about themselves! Can you imagine the stress and anxiety it would cause everyone if they were constantly worrying about their income or their clothes? Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness! Why? Because “all these things will be given to you as well”! You run headlong after Jesus, and He provides the shoes, the food, the direction, everything else needed!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Do you love God? Do you feel His call on your life? Then where is your faith, good and faithful servant? “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called”. All things includes, ALL things! Everything, everything is in His hands and He is working all of it for YOUR GOOD! How can you sit there and worry and stress over things that you have no control over, things that God has in His control anyway? Where is your faith oh little one?

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

It’s ok that you’re weak. It’s ok that you have no idea where the next paycheck is coming from or how bills will be paid. Its only through your weakness that God can be strong! God can’t pour directly into your life if you have everything under control! So, delight in your own shortcomings because God is going to show up in a miraculous way! For when you are weak, then you can be strong in Christ!

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert
and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:18-19

If you are so wrapped up in the past, in a boyfriend dumping you, in a job lost, in an opportunity missed, in a project failed, then God can never work the new, amazing things He wants to! “See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” The most beautiful thing is our Creator creating! And that is exactly what He wants to do in your life, if you would just turn around and see it!

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you…And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

1 Peter 5: 6-7, 10

You have to recognize that you can not do it. You can not control anything, not even yourself. You have to humble yourself, be completely aware of your own failings and inabilities so that you can give all that up to Him. You cannot release that which you do not acknowledge. He may let you suffer a little while but you are never lost, the situation never hopeless. Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds! It is in this suffering that you grow, that you hear God better, that you see Him working more clearly.

Take heart, dear one. God will not allow you to fall. He loves you enough to never let you be defeated. But He also loves you so much that He will not let you stay where you are. He is ever prodding you, ever drawing you forward and closer to Him.