"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith."
Hebrews 12:1-2
Lately I have allowed my life to become bombarded with stress...things like
"Why haven't I gotten a job yet?"
"What if I don't have enough money?"
"What happens if I don't find a job sometime soon?"
and "Am I really ready for everything that lies ahead of me in the next few months...?"
These among many others are worries that have continued to take my heart and mind captive lately. I have been stressed and discouraged with all of this anxiety, and it was just yesterday that I was stopped in my tracks by a verse in Hebrews. It said,
"God is not unjust. He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them."
That first phrase..."God is not unjust, He will not forget you.." really struck my spirit. I began to realize that I have not surrendered my anxiety to the Lord lately. I have not walked in the confidence that comes with a life give to the Lord because I have not walked in faith. The Bible says "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see...." and also, "without faith it is impossible to please God."
Where has my faith been lately? Covered in doubt, insecurity, and fear.
Then I felt the gentle pull of the Lord as He reminded me...My focus has been all wrong. I am focused on my problems, my anxiety, my worry, my fear, instead of being focused on my God, the One who knows the beginning and the end, the One who has directed me to the place I am in now, and the One who has promised to never leave me. So of course I feel discouraged, scared and without hope. I need to fix my eyes on Jesus. Even when I feel like there is no hope, and I am losing faith, I can run to the Author and Perfecter of my faith, and He will lead me down the path He has chosen for me. And in that place of surrender, I can feel nothing but peace, because I know He goes before me.
I am so thankful that I am not the one in control. I have a Father, He leads me, comforts me, and I can have full assurance that He will direct my paths.
I need to keep focus on Christ!
