A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible

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I Give Up

DEVOTION BY POSTED 4/20/2018 12:00:01 AM ON John 14:27 NASB POSTED TO THE Peace & Presence Devotion

My peace I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.  John 14:27 NASB

Photo courtesy of pixabay.“The worry wheel has always spun in our family,” my cousin told me.

I felt better knowing my anxiety was an inherited trait. I couldn’t do anything about it. Not that I haven’t tried writing down verses on trust, reading in the Bible about God’s unwavering love for His children, and listening to songs about God taking care of us.

But the wheel spins on. One morning I woke up with a headache and weighted down with heaviness over several situations. I’d prayed, thought through possible answers, and prayed some more. Then finally, struggling under the weight, I sat up in bed and cried out, “I give up!”

Picturing myself with hands raised in surrender, I prayed, “Dear Lord, I no longer want to be my own burden bearer. Help me remember You are the One who took that on willingly by giving Your life for me.” 

Gradually the familiar heaviness disappeared. I realized I had a choice. I could trust and let go or return to lugging my constant load of unanswerable problems once again.

God promises His trustworthiness and continual caring and wants us to exchange our tension for resting in His perfect loving care in every detail of our lives. The Israelites sat by a river singing and talking about how the Lord provided food in the desert and protection from their enemies. God had not forgotten them and He hasn’t forgotten us.

My tendency to worry probably will not disappear, but with the Lord’s help I will not forget the morning I sat up in bed and said, “I give up!” I remind myself when things get discouraging to remember the times the Lord provided and rescued.

Learn to give up on your own strengths so God can provide His.

(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)

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Wynn Archibald

Wynn B. Archibald is a retired reading specialist, elementary teacher, Panthers fan, and tennis enthusiast. She is working on Spanish as her second language. She has written for Focus on the Family, Teacher Interaction, The Secret Place, and David C. Cook. Wynn can be contacted at  WynnB.Archibald@gmail.com.

Comments
Comment

  1. Reply
    Wendi Johnson
    From Lakewood Village, TX On 5/4/2018 3:27:30 PM

    Good word on the weight of anxiety and the burden that is ever present.

  2. Reply
    Darrell Waters
    From Atmore, Al On 4/21/2018 4:31:29 PM

    I just want to let you know that I needed your devotional. Thanks and God bless you richly!

  3. Reply
    Darrell Waters
    From Atmore, Al On 4/21/2018 4:31:29 PM

    I just want to let you know that I needed your devotional. Thanks and God bless you richly!

  4. Reply
    Darrell Waters
    From Atmore, Al On 4/20/2018 11:21:37 PM

    I needed that! Thanks. God bless you richly. This devotion reminds me of that old song that says, "Give up and let Jesus take over and He'll make a way for you."

  5. Reply
    Darrell Waters
    From Atmore, Al On 4/20/2018 11:21:22 PM

    I needed that! Thanks. God bless you richly. This devotion reminds me of that old song that says, "Give up and let Jesus take over and He'll make a way for you."

  6. Reply
    Bernadean Gates
    From Oklahoma On 4/20/2018 10:28:25 AM

    What wonderful Biblical advice! As you indicated, we have to trust our worries to Him.