“Thy Will be Done”

I have had this song on repeat this week! So much of this is how I am feeling right now. I am sitting here struggling with even how to pray. It feels like the waves are just crashing over us. I want to shout out to God, “Thy will be done,” but am I truly wanting that? Am I willing to release control and acknowledge that He has a perfect plan and reason? Am I willing to accept His will may not be my will?

What if we end up with a job with a pay cut? What if our car does need to be fixed by a professional and costs us money we don’t have? What if sick family members get worse? What if a family member’s battle with cancer ends soon? What if our personal struggles get harder before we see God working? Am I willing to say: “Thy Will be Done?”

I have to remember HE is God! He is faithful! He is in control. He doesn’t give us more than we can handle with His help. He knows all, sees all, and understands us more than anyone can. So why is it still hard to let go and trust? 

Philippians 4:6-7 says: “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” In James Chapter 1 verses 2-4 it shares: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” There is so much more scripture God shares with us on trials, suffering, and hard times. One more verse that resonated with me was Romans 5:3-5: ” Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

So don’t be anxious. Yeah, this is probably one of my top “sins.” How in the world am I not supposed to be anxious? I like control way too much (seriously, ask my family). But I have been learning over the years to let go of a lot of that control. To not worry or be anxious over situations, especially since they are out of my control anyway. So learning to let go, be at peace, and listen to God and what He has for me. 

A few tools I have used to help me calm my life:

• music (uplifting Christian music) 
• God’s word (reading, listening too, having someone share with me)
• journaling
• prayer
• and honestly, even with all the above, I still have needed some supplemental help (Thanks to full-spectrum help oil!) 

Count it all Joy … 

Really? Joy is not the first thing I think of in hard times? This is not our basic reaction to things. So how can we help our thinking in hard times? Journaling is great, writing down all the blessings. And yes, there are blessings in the trials. “I woke up today.” “We have a roof over our heads.” “God is my provider.” Writing your blessings down and writing down the attributes of God is a great way to start with this “joy” in the trials. 

Romans 12:12 pretty much summarizes all this: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Joy, patience, and lots of prayer during this time. So, even though it is HARD right now. Even though it may seem like the waves are crashing all around. I KNOW my God is good, faithful, present, and in control. So, with a very weak voice and faith of a mustard seed, I can say: “Thy Will be Done.”