God is Holding the Reins
From sunrise to sunset, He planned the world before time began. My friend, no matter what comes or goes we can take comfort in knowing He is holding the reins to our life and guiding us to a place He has prepared just for us.
As we travel through this world to our eternal home, it can truly be a challenge to relinquish our grip of control over the direction the paths of life take. There can be so many unplanned and unexpected twists and turns, whether good or bad, that can leave our hearts and minds feeling vulnerable and seemingly unprepared for the journey. This awareness of life's unpredictability has caused me to question: how do we (who don’t deal well with the “not knowing side of life”) get to the point of complete surrender? How do we get to the point of being okay with whatever should appear around the next bend?
Lean on His word and prayer.
Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." (KJV)
Psalm 118:6, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" (NIV)
Psalm 121:1-4, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (KJV)
Proverbs 20:24, “The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (NLT)
Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (NLT)
Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (NIV)
Lean on the cloud of witnesses that have gone before and surround you now. Lean on the testimonies of God’s goodness to build your faith.
Hebrews 12:1-2, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (KJV)
It is a balm to my soul to know that I am surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that say God’s good. I only have to look around to know that every word He speaks is truth. Whether in sickness or health, if I've been poor or had wealth, I've been able to rest upon the Rock of Ages. In peace or chaos, in gain or loss, I can say that I have been held by the Lord.
I remember well the days that I've fallen to my knees to pray. When I called His name, He wouldn’t let me fall. There have been days I prayed for strength and grace just to finish this race. God has always stepped right in, just like a dear friend, and carried me all the way.
What a gift it is to release to Jesus all we hold bottled up within the confines of our own control. What a joy it is to be fully known by the King. What a peace has come to me when I’ve been humbled at His feet. Looking back on my life, I can see that my brokenness has made Jesus dearer to me.
My friend, I can tell you that He IS joy and peace because I have known Him to be that for me. I know without a doubt that He is with you and will lead you down any and every path you must take. He will be with you in the beautiful moments of life, and He will help you find the beauty in the dreary places.
In valleys low or mountains high he knows the way. No matter the trail we may find ourselves wandering down, we can grip His hand a little tighter for He has already mastered it well.
Just hold on for the ride of your life as you trust Him and let God hold the reins. It’s going to be your greatest adventure.
Your Sister in Christ and in Love,
Hillary Wheeler
