Trust and Obey

Ever heard the old hymn called, "Trust and Obey"? Well, I started singing it and I realized I am singing the words that God has been teaching to me recently. I am actually thankful for the hard times in life because I would never understand or be where I am with Christ now. I have let the devil tear me down over and over again but as one of my favorite songs by Hillsong goes, "tell the devil no not day..." For me, my mind is my battlefield, that's where the devil knows I am at my weakest. I am so quick to listen to what my mind says about myself and find it easier to give in than to fight it. If you constantly allow yourself to view yourself in such a negative way and give in to all those lies your life is going to show it. I learned that the future is completely unpredictable and as hard that it is to understand, we have no say in what will happen. God is the only one who can see the future, can prepare a way, and can be there for you when all else fails.

You cannot continue to live your live in worry because it is going to tear you apart. You cannot live life on your own, and you cannot fight these battles on your own. You will try, but will not succeed. The devil will say you don't need anyone, you can do it own your own. The devil loves to get you on your own because you cannot fight a fight alone, so you will be much more susceptible to giving into his lies then.

Trusting and giving it all to God is so hard because I just want to have control, and I fear the future too much to just give it away. Why do I think I am better than God? Why do I think I can handle things on my own? Why do I think I am the one who is in control? Why do I trust myself over the Creator? Why do I choose to not trust the One who knows the future? Isn't God the One who holds me in his hands? (For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Isaiah 41:13) You know why I feel all of this, because I believed the lies of the enemy and because somehow I think I can have a control on life all by myself. Isn't this exactly what the devil wants me to believe, and isn't this what I have allowed myself to do? Have you let yourself try to take control over the One who made you from dust and dirt?

Trust and obey...now how can I fully just give it all to God? Pray, pray, and never stop. The mind is a constant battle which never stops unless you stop and put the face of God in the devil's way. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 The same power, the same God who raised Jesus from the dead is inside of you! Replace those lies with the truth of Christ and the devil will not win anymore. One day those lies will not exist. Give all those lies away to God and He replace you with peace and

truth. Trust God, give it to Him because you know the truth drives out all fear.

Let me add, if the devil is telling you that you have no worth or purpose on this earth then please know that God would not have made you if you did not have a purpose. "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29:11. This verse is so encouraging: "No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13.