Like Shelia, I have asked God the "fix me" many times. Whether it was my emotions, or I wasn't able to measure up in a relationship, school, work, etc. Have you ever had this type of conversation with God?
I have had a conversation similar to the one Shelia had. Mine was not just "fix me" but "fix my life." I have always thought that planning my life would make me a happier person. I plan everything in my life from my next meal to my ideal retirement age. I know, its a little O.C.D. of me, but its the way I've always been. I look forward to my plans for the future, but it has started to be a bit of a problem. I thought getting out of Michigan and going to college would fix me, then relationships, then marriage, then a job, then... the list just continues. However, I have figured out that no matter how much I plan it will not "fix me." God is teaching me many things, with trust and patience being two major starting points. As I was reading in Psalm I found this passage I thought fit God's plan for me well (I especially like verse 7).
Psalm 37
1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
i've found that when i've wanted a big change, either in myself or in my life, i basically just had to "give up" what i wanted and wait. peace and be still is not an easy concept, but in these moments, God teaches me the most about waiting on Him.
Thanks for the verse Katie! It's funny how I can read psalms over and over again...and still find new meaningful verses each time! I think my favorite thought from the first chapter (and I wish I had the book with me to quote from)but Sheila said something to the effect of how she always wanted God to fix her - and God doesn't want to "fix us", He wants to live in us through these trials. I think that stuck with me the most in this first chapter because for me it's SO easy to forget that no matter how screwed up we think we are - God loves us and wants to live in us! Once again it's this trap of getting caught up in the world and not recognizing God as wanting and loving us for us.
This type of conversation with God has happened quite a few times. I have times in my life where things seem like they are going great but then other times where I wonder what is going on??! :) Thing thing that I always try to remember is that God doesn't want us to feel this way. He wants us to feel complete and happy in Him. During this times in my life, I tend to read the more "uplifting" verses in the Bible to give me just a little umph. I appreciated the verse that Kate posted. What a beautiful words from a wonderful Savior! Thank you God for loving us as we are!!
I remember so many times (especially in college) when I realized that I had a real internal struggle going on. I was almost sick some days, crying to God and not understanding why I act the way I act. I really like what you said Carissa about God is not necessarily trying to "fix-us" because that would mean we are not good enough for Him. But He is so wanting to live in us and by that mold us into His likeness. I think that is one of His biggest drawing factors into my life. Since I never can measure up God always wants me as I am and sees me as something I am not, who he made me to be.
Kate, I am a planner too. Maybe, not every day every day things. But I love having plans! :)
Planning my life and making it all happen has been and is sometimes still really important in my life. It's been hard to let things go and to try to let God be my captain of my ship. But what's so wonderful is when I do let Him lead its so much better then what I could have ever planned on my own. Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I think its okay to have desires in my heart for life plans, but just as long as God is the one leading in my life. :) Who better else to lead in my life then the one who knows how many hairs are on my head. I have really thick head of hair, so that's saying something! Lol
I have asked God many times in high school and college what's wrong, or why are things not working out in my life. I would first blame myself, I would think it was always me who was doing something wrong. I would try to “fix” it by changing something about myself. I just lacked faith in God and in myself. During those times I would have low self-esteem. I know Satan tries to brake us down and to get us to depend on ourselves. I just praise God that during those times He led in my life and I finally listened to Him. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't eventually follow that still small voice. Praise God! He is so faithful. That's what really got me attracted to Him, is that He was always there for me, even when I wasn't always there for Him. :) I just pray that I am always faithful in keeping Him first in my life.
Welcome to Women4Virtue! We are a group of 9 ladies from around the country who have a passion for Jesus Christ. We are studying the book titled "When a Women Trusts God" written by Sheila Walsh. We hope to to draw closer to God and each other by exploring God's plan for our lives.
I have had a conversation similar to the one Shelia had. Mine was not just "fix me" but "fix my life." I have always thought that planning my life would make me a happier person. I plan everything in my life from my next meal to my ideal retirement age. I know, its a little O.C.D. of me, but its the way I've always been. I look forward to my plans for the future, but it has started to be a bit of a problem. I thought getting out of Michigan and going to college would fix me, then relationships, then marriage, then a job, then... the list just continues. However, I have figured out that no matter how much I plan it will not "fix me." God is teaching me many things, with trust and patience being two major starting points. As I was reading in Psalm I found this passage I thought fit God's plan for me well (I especially like verse 7).
ReplyDeletePsalm 37
1 [a] Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
i've found that when i've wanted a big change, either in myself or in my life, i basically just had to "give up" what i wanted and wait. peace and be still is not an easy concept, but in these moments, God teaches me the most about waiting on Him.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the verse Katie! It's funny how I can read psalms over and over again...and still find new meaningful verses each time!
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite thought from the first chapter (and I wish I had the book with me to quote from)but Sheila said something to the effect of how she always wanted God to fix her - and God doesn't want to "fix us", He wants to live in us through these trials. I think that stuck with me the most in this first chapter because for me it's SO easy to forget that no matter how screwed up we think we are - God loves us and wants to live in us! Once again it's this trap of getting caught up in the world and not recognizing God as wanting and loving us for us.
This type of conversation with God has happened quite a few times. I have times in my life where things seem like they are going great but then other times where I wonder what is going on??! :) Thing thing that I always try to remember is that God doesn't want us to feel this way. He wants us to feel complete and happy in Him. During this times in my life, I tend to read the more "uplifting" verses in the Bible to give me just a little umph. I appreciated the verse that Kate posted. What a beautiful words from a wonderful Savior! Thank you God for loving us as we are!!
ReplyDeleteI remember so many times (especially in college) when I realized that I had a real internal struggle going on. I was almost sick some days, crying to God and not understanding why I act the way I act. I really like what you said Carissa about God is not necessarily trying to "fix-us" because that would mean we are not good enough for Him. But He is so wanting to live in us and by that mold us into His likeness. I think that is one of His biggest drawing factors into my life. Since I never can measure up God always wants me as I am and sees me as something I am not, who he made me to be.
ReplyDeleteKate, I am a planner too. Maybe, not every day every day things. But I love having plans! :)
ReplyDeletePlanning my life and making it all happen has been and is sometimes still really important in my life. It's been hard to let things go and to try to let God be my captain of my ship. But what's so wonderful is when I do let Him lead its so much better then what I could have ever planned on my own. Proverbs 16:9 “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” I think its okay to have desires in my heart for life plans, but just as long as God is the one leading in my life. :) Who better else to lead in my life then the one who knows how many hairs are on my head. I have really thick head of hair, so that's saying something! Lol
I have asked God many times in high school and college what's wrong, or why are things not working out in my life. I would first blame myself, I would think it was always me who was doing something wrong. I would try to “fix” it by changing something about myself. I just lacked faith in God and in myself. During those times I would have low self-esteem. I know Satan tries to brake us down and to get us to depend on ourselves. I just praise God that during those times He led in my life and I finally listened to Him. I don't know what I would have done if I didn't eventually follow that still small voice. Praise God! He is so faithful. That's what really got me attracted to Him, is that He was always there for me, even when I wasn't always there for Him. :) I just pray that I am always faithful in keeping Him first in my life.