Cease Striving

“Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

I don’t think there is a day that goes by that I don’t feel heartbroken over something that is happening. It can be close to my heart—a friend or family member who is very ill. It can be a tragic event in our area (like the big fires we have). It can be a catastrophic weather event. They seem to be happening almost constantly all over the world. My heart breaks—I want to do something—I want to change things—I want to meet the need, solve the problem. But here I sit on my own battling cancer. It’s frustrating.

I was talking to the Lord about this, and He reminded me of a verse in Psalm 46:10 NASB. “Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

I know it boils down to trust. I need to trust the Lord. None of the problems are too big for Him, and nothing is out of control. He is bigger than anything that is happening, and He is at work to accomplish His plans and purposes in our world. When I don’t understand, I need to simply tell Him I trust Him.

Trust is a lesson that I have learned over and over and over these last many years. But it’s not a lesson that is ever finished—”done and dusted” as they say here. It’s a lesson that I have to keep committing my heart to. I have to keep choosing trust repeatedly. When I make that choice, the “peace that passes understanding” comes. When I don’t choose trust, there is the frustration of not being able to do something about all the needs and problems.

I am choosing trust afresh today. There are several things that are heavy on my heart. I am giving them to the Lord one by one. I am expressing my confidence in the Lord to “be exalted in the earth” in each situation, each need, each problem, each concern, each worry, each fear. He is trustworthy. He is faithful. He is over all! He is mindful of every small and large thing on my heart.

Father, You are at work. You are mindful of all that is happening. Our trust is in You. We want to keep making that choice. We choose not to strive, with Your help, about anything that concerns us. Thank You.