“I Want to, But I Just Don’t See How to Make It Work…”
Have you ever felt like you just can’t do it all?
You know you ought to read your Bible every day (Joshua 1:8), but you just don’t have an hour to sit & read/study your Bible every day… or read enough chapters to read through it in a year… or have already missed so many days that it would take days of straight reading to catch up.
You know you’re supposed to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) & go to God in prayer about everything (Philippians 4:6-7), spending time talking with Him & listening for Him to guide your heart & thoughts (Proverbs 3:6)… but you just don’t have the concentration to sit for an hour every day… & you’re not even sure if you know whether it’s Him moving you or not, so honestly it just feels like a waste of time.
You know you are called to serve widows & orphans (James 1:27) & those who are weak (Acts 20:35) but you are ALREADY serving your family & church, & maybe you have a job & young kids on top of everything & you just don’t have that much time left for everyone ELSE. (John 15:12)
You know you are commanded to be generous (Proverbs 19:17; Psalm 37:21) & that giving is better to receive & we’re supposed to trust God as our Provider, NOT ourselves (Luke 12)… but you’re already strapped for cash & the idea of being generous when YOU don’t even seem to have enough seems ludicrous!
Remember… Holiness Doesn’t Necessarily Mean DO MORE, But Rather, Do the RIGHT Things (What God Directs)
The Christian life seems to have so many demands.
And then, to hear a call to BE Holy (1 Peter 1:16), it just feels so exhausting & straining & leaves you feeling icky because nothing ever seems to be enough!
Well, last week would be a great post to start with if you’re feeling this way, because there is a whole lot of GOOD NEWS to counter these oppressively guilt-laden thoughts. Check out “The Difference Between Acting Holy & Being Holy.”
The “All or Nothing” Scam
But there’s something more I want to talk about with you today: the “All or Nothing” Scam.
Satan wants us to set our standards of God’s commands in these areas based on what we see displayed or suggested by others.
And while those encouragements: to spend more time in the Bible & in prayer with God & in serving those who need it & in giving more… are all worthy pursuits & commanded by God, I might add, the Bible doesn’t map out reading the Bible in a year as God’s standard, & so on.
Maybe it’s just being faithful to GET IN THE BIBLE… making it a HABIT… a DAILY habit… more than making sure you read “enough.”
Don’t Let Excuses Lead to Disobedience
Now don’t get me wrong, reading the Bible & taking time to pray consistently & intentionally WILL influence & impact your life ALL the MORE, the MORE you spend doing them. The MORE you read His Truth, the MORE you will begin to notice it influencing your decisions & mood. The MORE you pray, the MORE you will see His hand in your life & the MORE you will find your rest in Him in or out of storms.
But when we refuse to obey because we can’t do it ALL, we are being fooled at best & being disobedient (while trying to justify it) at worst.
Have a burden for the poor, but feel any help is a drop in an earth-sized bucket, so you just don’t try, working to block the ache out of your heart? STOP it. And pray. You may not be capable of ending world hunger (or maybe God WILL use you in that way), but He can direct you on how to make a difference for a human being wondering if they are insignificant & invisible, to show they are loved by God.
God Sees Through It… So Be Honest with Him… & with Yourself
I mentioned this in my video last week that sometimes, honestly, it comes down to just being honest with God (& yourself) knowing God already knows & sees your rebellious, stubborn heart.
“God, I’m sorry. I’m sorry that I resist doing what honors You. I let myself be fooled that because I can’t do it all, I should just not do any of it. I am making excuses versus turning to You for help in taking steps of obedience. Please forgive me. I am selfish & arrogant to think it’s a waste of time to feed my heart with Your Truth & to spend time with You. Please forgive me. Help me change my perspective. Give me a hunger & an unquenchable thirst for YOU. Help me see & recognize my NEED for You. Help direct me. Show me pockets of time & direct my steps, bring it to my attention. And EVEN WHEN I DO NOT FEEL LIKE IT, help me to determine to DO IT ANYWAY, knowing that it 1. Honors You & 2. Is for my GOOD if You have commanded it. Help me trust You better & help me to obey EVEN WHEN I am feeling stubborn & rude towards You. Thank You for Your inexhaustible daily grace & Your long-suffering patience with me. I could never deserve Your love & MERCY. Forgive me & help me determine to DO BETTER, Not perfection, but progress. Not ALL, but to START & to DO IT. Help me not buy into Satan’s “All or Nothing” Scam. Help me obey You. AMEN.”
Do you need to pray that prayer today?
I have prayed something akin to that prayer SO MANY TIMES that it’s shameful & embarrassing, but God keeps beckoning me to get up, dust off that shame through the filter of Jesus’ grace, & to try again (with His help).
Determine to Obey Anyway… Even If You Start with Baby Steps
Don’t buy the “All or Nothing” Scam. It’s a life-sapping LIE.
God is patient & gentle. He makes you aware of pockets of time. His Truth is meant to be the refreshment & bolstering you need. He guides & enables. Determine to obey anyway, even if you start with baby steps.
Determine to obey. Determine, when all the weight of it all seems overwhelming, to stop & say, “God, I know You don’t ask me to do it ALL, but don’t let that stop me from doing SOMETHING. What can I do right now, in this moment, to walk in obedience to You… to honor You?”
Don’t let the “impossible” ALL scare you away from asking God how to do the SOME.
God has a plan for you (Jeremiah 29:11); … with Good works HE has planned IN ADVANCE for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). You only need to ask for His guidance on what… & determine to draw from His help every step of it.
He’s got you.
Shine HOPE by determining to do the SOME, even if you don’t feel you can do the ALL.
Coming Next Week
Join me every Monday morning, EST, for more encouragement right here on my blog/website @ www.MichelleHydeOnline.com.
As God grows me, may it encourage you to seek Him & know Him & love Him more every day.
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A Note from Michelle:
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Fashion as a Force for GOOD:
Each week, I feature an item that is changing lives for women around the world. These hand-crafted pieces are offering job creation opportunities for women artisans in impoverished nations all around the world! Consider these pieces when shopping for friends, family, or yourself. Check out this week’s featured beauty!!
Ellora Necklace (India)
This set of two adjustable gold-toned necklaces (golden coin charm strand not shown) can be worn separately or together. Mixing classic styles together by layering freshwater pearl and golden coin pendants make these delicate necklaces on-trend.
In India, poverty often leads to exploitation of vulnerable women in sweatshops. Every purchase provides these Artisans with fair wages, access to healthcare, education for their children, & care for elderly family members.
Purchase this necklace & empower an Artisan in India!
How You Can Help:
SHOP Here, OR, Email me at michellehyde.tradesofhope@gmail.com with any questions, & I will message you personally with more information!! Thank you for inspiring HOPE around the world, Lovely!
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Love ya lots! Have a wonderful week!
