How was your 2016? For some of us, it might have been arduous and we’re thankful that 2017 has come around the corner to give us a fresh start and a better year. But what if 2017 is no different, or even worse? What if it’s going to be rougher and tougher than 2016?
Every day, you have to decide who’s going to be in control of your life — you or God.
That choice is a battle. There are things in your life that you want to control. You want to make your own rules. But stress relief always starts with letting God be God. It always starts with saying, “God, I’m giving up control, because you can control the things that are out of control in my life.”
Sure life may not be fair and injustice may still rule, but if we turn to God’s love and grace, He will prove to be our sustenance and strength for years to come. God’s faithfulness is what brought us this far, and it’s His faithfulness that will continue to carry us.
God doesn’t work just in the absence of crisis but also even in the midst of it. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 Jesus tells us, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
I don’t know what you’re going to face this week. You don’t, either. But I can already tell you what God wants you to do: Let go, and know that God is in control. This is the first step to serenity in your life.
Whenever we face out-of-control situations, we tend to go to one of two extremes. For some of you, the more out-of-control your life gets, the harder you try to control it. Some of you do the exact opposite: You just give up! You have a pity party and invite yourself to it.
Both of those reactions to stress are foolish. They don’t work. Instead of being a victim or becoming hyper controlling, you need to pray the prayer of surrender.
No matter what 2017 has in store for us. The more important question is how will we respond? Our response to the greatest of trials is what moulds us and not the circumstances we face. Character is both built and revealed through the storm. How do we respond to an almost assured crisis? Do we respond in panic and pessimism or in hope and trust in God?
By Evangelist Samuel Balagadde
