When Jesus is On Your Side (Writer's Opinion)
By Carol Round, Special to ASSIST News Service
GROVE, OK (ANS – June 12, 2016) “Yours, O Lord,
are the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty;
for all that is in the heavens and on the earth is yours; yours is the
kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all” —1 Chronicles 29:11(NRSV).
More than once I’ve said to friends, “I don’t know how people make it through life without Jesus.”
Since
rededicating my life to Him almost 15 years ago, I’ve had my share of
trouble. While having Jesus in your life doesn’t exclude you from
trials, you can bet He’s by your side when those times come. And they
will come in the form of financial, physical, emotional and relational
struggles.
Evangelist
Billy Graham once said, “Even the securest financial plan and the
finest health coverage aren’t enough to hold us steady when the
challenges come. We need something more, something deeper and
unshakeable, something that will see us through life's hard times.”
Before
I had a personal relationship with my Savior and Lord, trials would
send me into a tailspin. I’d rant, and then panic, before trying to find
a solution. That’s because I was relying on myself. I thought I had to
solve everything on my own. My pride wouldn’t let me admit I couldn’t
fix everything and everyone. It just doesn’t work.
What
does work is submitting ourselves to Jesus. While we can wrestle for
control, ultimately, we’re not in charge. We only think we are.
In
a recent “Mornings with Jesus” devotional, author Susanna Foth
Aughtmon, wrote, “Lately, I’ve been trying to be the lord of my life.
And I have this picture in my mind of Jesus sitting back on His heels
taking in my chaos and my sorry attempts at controlling my circumstances
and my astounding lack of resources and saying, ‘So how is that working
for you?’ Of course, He knows it is absolutely not working for me and
mostly, I am a wreck. So today I am trying something different. I am
going to let Him be Lord. Because…He is, I know it will make a
difference.”
Although
it has taken me many years to acknowledge God’s sovereignty, I’m so
glad I did. Since then, I’ve learned He is in control. He is the One who
opens doors. He is the One who always makes a way. He is the One who
provides healing. And, He is the One who brings peace—a peace that only
comes when you surrender to Him.
In
Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus says, “Come to me and I will give you rest—all
of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke—for it fits
perfectly—and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you
shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”
If
you don’t already start your day with Jesus, spend some time with Him
in prayer. Then, invite Him to be in charge of your life. During the
day, seek His guidance when you have a decision to make.
Photo captions: 1) Evangelist Billy Graham. 2) Carol Round.
Note from Carol: I always love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts at carol@carolaround.com . You can also visit my blog at www.carolaround.com.
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