Everything is safe which we commit to Him, and nothing is really safe which is not so committed.
A.W. Tozer
Oswald Chambers has said that we must we must be willing to be placed on the altar and go through the fire. God eliminates all of our desires and affections not grounded in Him.
There are many things we can desire: peace, happiness, stability, comfort, nothing hurtful to touch us or our family members. When we put our hearts and affections on the things that we desire instead of in Christ, we set ourselves up to fail and be heartbroken.
In her bible study on modern day idols, Kelly Minter says that God wants us to trust and surrender with our hearts, not just throw up our hands and say “Thy will be done”
This resonates with me. So many times when I am hurting or I see a family member or dear friend hurting or when there is something that I am desiring that is not coming to fruition, I find myself doing exactly that “fine Lord, whatever, You’re will be done”
My words might be “right” but my heart and attitude are definitely not. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to just have my words “right” before God. I desperately want my heart and my will before Him to be acceptable and pleasing to Him.
It comes down to a trust issue with Jesus. Do I trust Him? Do I believe that He is intricately involved in every single detail of my life? Do I believe that He arranges every moment of my day, that nothing takes Him by surprise?
When my mind is set on Him, knowing that He is sovereign; living out in my emotions and thoughts what I say that I believe, my life is settled and purposeful, joy filled and expectant.
Jeremiah 17:7 then comes alive: Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. Living with this verse in mind, it is then that I become the clay in my Potters hand and give Him full reign to shape my life in the way He desires.
Peace and joy, contentment and trust come when I am trusting and thanking Him even when I hurt knowing that He has plans for my life to grow me into who He wants me to be and for His glory.
My life then becomes totally dependent on Him and I live expectantly waiting for Him to lead me.