When it rains it pours

When it rains it pours and opens doors

and floods the floors we thought would always keep us safe and dry...

This is how I feel that my year has been like. I have had so many challenges and when it seems like the waters have calmed, I realize another wave has been brewing. It is during these times that I have to repeat to myself the things that I know about God. Have you ever sat down and made a list of the things you actually know about God?

What I know:

He is savior

Son of God

 Almighty

 All knowing

 Caring

 Faithful

 Merciful

 Compassionate

 Omnipotent

 Creator

 All knowing...

I could go on and on. It is during the storms, that we have to focus on what we know about God. It is in these times when we are most weak, that Satan uses himself to cause doubt and cause fear and cause worry. 

Jesus reminds us in Jeremiah 29: 11-13 of how much he loves and cares for us

11 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. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Sadness is evading everyone

I have had many friends who have written or posted about something major in their lives that they need praying for. Either it has been the death of a family member, children are not doing well, or just plain illness among themselves. Overall, it does me good to see them asking for prayer, but several have made the statement, "Lord I know that you will not give me anymore than I can handle, but I just am not sure how much more I can take." I have to say that I was guilty of this statement several years ago, but I had a great person correct me one day and since then I have to share exactly her advice:
We have had the phrase wrong all this time. 

INCORRECT: God will not give US more than WE can handle

CORRECT: God will not give us more than HE can handle.

There are going to be many times when we will not be able to handle the things of this life. It is during those times that God says, it is time to give the burdens to me. His hand is reaching out and we choose to ignore it. Many times, we are being tested to see how far we are willing to give up and turn control to the Almighty Father. How many times are we stubborn and unwilling to just get down on our faces and come to God open minded, broken, and in desperate need of rest. Why is it so difficult to give our burdens to him when we know that we can not handle them. 

It is time for us to stop asking the questions Why? Who? Where?  We already know the answer, we just have to have enough faith to give him the baggage, give him the pain, the stress, the worry, and be willing to REST IN THE ARMS OF YOUR FATHER. 

Oh what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
EVERYTHING TO GOD IN PRAYER