The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life: I Give up, Laura Story

So when the battle for control begins again--and it will--what do I do?

• I acknowledge the struggle. (Denying it doesn't help. I know. I've tried.)
• I confess my strong desire to be in charge, and I name my fear of not being in charge. 
• I admit that my emotions do not always tell me the truth about my circumstances or about my God.
• I search God's word for truth and keep it always before me. I read it. I pray it. I sing it. I write it on my hand with a ballpoint pen if I need to. I have it ready.
• I remind myself of God's faithfulness to his children throughout history and of his faithfulness to me. 

Then I do the next thing I would do if I were surrendered to God on this day, in this situation, at this moment. Because the smallest act of trusting obedience can serve to remind me of the one who loves, me, who sees me, who has my back, and who's already gone out ahead of me to make a way. 

And finally, I relax. 

Because I don't need more of me on the throne.

I need more of him. 

God, I don't want to compete with you for who is in charge of my life. You know me--all my fears, impatience, and, at times, even my unbelief. Holy God, Creator of the universe, help me to daily surrender to you as the Lord of my life. 

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주와 함께한 고백 내 삶에 채우소서 

나를 향하신 주님의 마음 담아 주소서 

주의 품으신 계획 온전히 이루소서 

나의 삶의 결이 주의 길을 닮게 하소서

매일 넘어지고 일어서기를 반복하는 연약한 저이지만, 

결국 이렇게 모인 하루하루가 

주님과 함께한 삶의 고백이 되길 소망합니다.

나의 삶의 결이 주님의 길을 닮게 하소서.

아버지, 이 곳에서의 시간들을 통해 

주님을 더 알게 하시고 붙잡게 하시니 

그것 하나만으로 무엇과도 바꿀 수 없음을 고백합니다. 

또 다시 어려운 시기 앞에

더 깊이 알게 될 주님을 사모함으로 나아갈 수 있도록 도우소서.  

주님과 함께한 새로운 고백이 쌓이게 하소서. 

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Psalm 46

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth.[b] A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

환난 중에 만날 야곱의 하나님, 나의 하나님.