Learning to ‘Let Go’ and Lean into His ‘Rhythms of Grace’

Every now and then, I come across a “good read” that the Lord uses to grab my attention, simply by the TITLE!  It’s typically something having to do with a particular topic that I just had a discussion with someone about or an area of my life that I’m wrestling with!  I imagine You’ve had your interest sparked by things like that as well!?

Well, Friends, this particular one is just too good not to share ~

The Two Sides of SELF-CARE

In our current world, where the topic of “SELF-CARE has become a major TREND”, I am continually desiring to stay reminded to the TRUTH that

JESUS is the ONE who truly sustains and satisfies.  

“GOD is the sole giver of life and strength, joy and peace.”

It is in keeping up with the pace of our busy lives and living in a culture that screams at us to climb the ladder, over extend our human limits, push ourselves beyond reason and BE ALL to ALL, that we often find ourselves burned out, exhausted and barely holding on!

Been there….done that….AND I CRASHED….

Not just once….but I found myself slipping into that place almost for a second time!  You could say, I have a strong temptation to STRIVE!  Some may call it “controlling,” others may call it “uber-responsibility”!  I’ve come to acknowledge it as the desire I have to ‘be all to all’ and ‘do all’. 

In an effort to “help others”, one can often lose sight of the healthy boundaries and limitations that God places in our lives in order that we can be used by Him….. a willing vessel in which HE does the work. 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10

In this season, I realized that I really needed to be intentional and spend some time learning what it means to

LET GO….

confess the areas of my life that I tended to slip into the sin of SELF-RELIANCE and

LEAN into the RHYTHMS of GOD’S GRACE!

LEARNING

“when we try to do more than what is humanly possible (striving) – which is another way of trying to be like God – we need to Repent and Acknowledge that we are not like God (Isaiah 30:15). We have LIMITS, and we ACCEPT them.

GOD alone is LIMITLESS…..He is GOD and I am NOT.  This means I need to HONOR my human limits by EMBRACING my need for REST, my need for balanced NUTRITION, my need for HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS, and ULTIMATELY my need for GOD.”

I am coming to learn the depths of what it means to “LET GO”;  what it means to be FULLY SURRENDERED to the Holy Spirit’s leading in my life. This “LETTING GO” may mean a release of things, circumstances, relationships, responsibilities, that the Lord no longer plans for me to walk in. Or perhaps He is simply desiring to teach me how to be a better STEWARD of the gifts He’s giving me through these things or the ways He’s wanting to use these situations in my life.  He is teaching me to acknowledge my human limits and repent of my tendencies to take on more than what He has called me to. He alone is God ~ He alone is Sovereign and in control.

LEANING INTO HIS GRACE

There is a beauty that comes in learning to Let Go ~ A freedom that we find when we RELY MORE on the TRUTH of God’s Word to be the lamp to our feet and the light to our path! When we realize the POWER of His Spirit indwelling in us that calls to us, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)! 

These verses are a few of the treasures from God’s Word that have led me to this freedom.  This freedom that comes as we learn to surrender more of our lives to Christ.

“But He said to me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23:1-2

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

He says, “Be still (Let Go), and Know (Intimate, experiential knowledge) that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10

So now, my dear friends, I ask you to consider your own lives.  How might God be calling you to stop for a moment, to “let go” and get away to a quiet space to sit with Him? Your Heavenly Father loves and cherishes you and is jealous for time alone with you.  He longs to be your Great Shepherd, leading you to green pastures and quiet waters that refresh your soul!  Where is He leading you to follow Him?

With All My Love and in His Grace,

Stacey

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I was thankful to have recently had the opportunity to share a part of my testimony ~

a SEASON where GOD used my temptations with STRIVING and SELF-RELIANCE, CONTROL and PERFECTIONISM to show me my brokenness and point me to my NEED for HIS GRACE and TRUTH!

If you haven’t had the opportunity to watch the interview I gave on the “Finding Me:Christian Women Growing Emotionally, Spiritually, and Physically” Facebook page, here is the link:

An interview with Renee Bethel of “Finding Me” Facebook Group for Women