SWHW Bible Reading Plan: May 2021Sample

Top Takeaway From Emily Copeland:

I battled crippling anxiety when I was in my early 20's. I would have panic attacks in public places (malls, restaurants, and family gatherings). The lack of control I felt would set the panic attack into motion to further perpetuate the downward spiral. 

To be honest, it took me years to really and fully grasp this simple concept:

You can't fully control what you didn't create.

How often do we find ourselves frustrated with our situation and creating a plan to change it and make it better? 

How often do we spend our energy working on ways of getting a better grip on our life instead of relaxing into the unknown with God?

Again, we can't fully control what we didn't create. And just to be clear, the one big and personal thing that we didn't create was ourselves. 

Isaiah 45:10 speaks to this thought when it says, "Woe to the one who says to a father, 'What have you begotten?' or to a mother, 'What have you brought to birth?’” Essentially, the question is, "What did you create in me?" 

We didn't have a say in our creation, our parents, or our first breath. God chose that. 

As Creator, God deals with His creation going rogue-- the clay that says to the Potter, "What are you making?" (Isaiah 45:9) The clay that denies the work as the Potter’s work and claims it as its own. The clay that tries to protect, fix, and maintain its own existence, assuming that it's easier to control that way.

We convince ourselves that we can switch the power hierarchy and control the parts of our lives that are completely unknown to us but that are fully known by God. When we pull the scope back for the full view, it seems ridiculous that we would think that we could do better than the One who put us here, to begin with, but that is exactly what we do. 

No wonder our lives leave us so stressed out, anxious, worried, and exhausted. Our power hierarchy is out of order. 

You and I fall victim to the lie that we can control our life and feel free at the same time.

Whatever you're trying to control and change today must be met with the reality of Who set your life into motion:

"It is I who made the earth and created mankind on it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts." (Isaiah 45:12)

"I am the Lord, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:18)

No other = no other, including me. So we rest fully in His control and capability to lead, guide, and direct every step and every breath that we take. We must put the power hierarchy back in order with God on the throne of our heart and mind. 

What He knows about our future could fill oceans, while we are only given the drop of this very moment. He's trustworthy. He's fully got you.  

God, I'm really good at adding the "other" to Your, "I am the Lord" statement. I fall victim to the lie that I can control my life and feel free at the same time. But Your Word brings me back to the mirror of truth that says that there absolutely is NO OTHER higher Power, only You. Thank You for remaining in control of my life to take care of me and guide me in the way of freedom and peace. I love You. Amen.