Surrender

Today I had a health problem reveal itself to me in a way that had me a little freaked out and close to tears. Immedietaly my mind jumped to every possible worse-case scenario and I felt not only a sense of fear but a sense of regret - I am not the healthiest eater, and not very active - so I know exactly why I have ended up in this predicament, and I want to change that now. I've tried before, but never had enough motivation for whatever reason. Now that health issues have come to call, I certainly have a reason to start living a healthier lifestyle. More importantly, while I was feeling close to tears, I felt even closer to God.  Even when things in life become scary, worrisome, or painful - Christ is right there with us,  and I felt His presence as my mind was starting to freak out. As I don't even know exactly what  is wrong - there isn't any point in my mind overreacting and thinking that I have cancer or need surgery (thats the worrier in me!) - for all I know I might have just eaten something bad! But the thing that calmed my heart, and made me so grateful to be loved so extravagently by Jesus, is that no matter what we go through in this life - He is with us while we go through it and gives us the strength to overcome it, and if its part of His plan for us to move on - well, then we will be with Him, and whats better than that (aside from living a full life dedicated to Him) ? Either way, we are more than conquerers through Christ! I love my saviour, and I want to love Him with my life more and more each day. I know my faith and my love are not even close to what He deserves, and that I can't even offer it - but I hope that I will be able to offer all that I am in this life!! Sometimes I lose sight of what is most important.. my relationship with Christ and His work through me and in me, and my heart runs astray. But that is not what I want - more than anything, no matter what I go through, I want to live a life that is completely surrendered to Him!!!!!

Believe That God is Good

Exerpt from Getting to No: How To Break A Stubborn Habit by Erwin W. Lutzer

What causes this lack of enthusiasm for getting rid of sin? We are afraid that some worthwhile pleasure will pass us by. We question whether God's way is indeed the best. If we doubt God's goodness, we will not only resist change but also fear it. A young man I counseled simply could not give his future to God for fear that God might require him to drop out of medical school. He doubted whether God's will for him would be the best.

Countless Christians resist surrender to God, frightened of what God might require of them. He might lead them to the mission field, let them remain single, or require that they give up their love of money or thier pursuit of sinful pleasures.

When you doubt God's goodness, you hug sin tightly to your bosom, afraid that God will rob you of your crutch, your pastime, your pleasure. Occasionally, you are stirred to give up your sin, but you soon find that you can't risk the loss.

But is your way really better than God's? Was Satan the good guy in the garden of Eden? And God the villain? Jesus put the matter straight, "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I come that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). To believe that your way is better than God's way is to take your place with Adam and Eve and believe Satan's lie. No matter how many pleasures Satan offers you, his ultimate intention is to ruin you. Your destruction is his highest priority.

On the positive side, if you accept the fact that God is good, two results will follow: First, you will realize that you can surrender to Him without reservations or fear of being cheated; second, you will thirst for change, understanding that the temporary watering holes of the world cannot compare to the everlasting springs of life that are in Christ.

So are you prepared to yield yourself wholly to God without conditions, without reservations, and without a hidden agenda? No matter how attractive your sinful habit is, are you willing to let God teach you that His way is perfect? If so, you will be prepared to part with your sin, knowing that God will replace it with something better.