It's Too Hard

The world today is full of cute sayings like, “You’ve got this,” or “Believe in yourself.” While they may be motivational and (temporarily) empowering messages, they’re simply not true. In reality, we are completely incapable of living life on our own. I need to fully depend on God for every part of my life. John 15:5 says that without God, we can do nothing.

I can fake it during the easy times. I can plug away in my own strength and believe that I am capable and doing a good job, even if I'm barely keeping afloat. But when anything hard comes my way, I panic. Suddenly, I realize that this circumstance is too hard for me. I feel like an insurmountable mountain has just appeared before my eyes.

The truth is, I couldn’t handle it before, either. God is the One that sustains me. He is ultimately in control of each moment of my day, regardless of how much I currently feel in control. Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart deviseth [plans] his way: but the Lord directeth his steps." It's a beautiful realization to me that I cannot rely on myself, and must lean on His strength.

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber." Psalm 121:1-3

When the Israelites were nearing the Promise Land the second time, God reminded them that it was too hard. The giants were too tall, the cities too large, and the armies too strong (Deuteronomy 9:1). But that didn’t matter, because God was with them and He would fight the battles for them: “Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God He shall fight for you.” Deut. 3:22.

The first time the Israelites toured the Promise Land, they forgot about the Lord’s strength. They cowered in fear at the impossibility of surviving a fight against such terrifying armies. God was displeased at their lack of faith in His power. (Deut. 1:26-35). Forty years later, as they approached the Promise Land again, Moses reminded them to have faith, not in their own ability, but in God’s. (Deuteronomy 9).

The key to finding peace during difficult circumstances is to realize that no circumstance is within our control. We need God every step of the way. Moses chides,

“If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them? Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt… so shall the Lord thy God do unto all the people of who thou art afraid.” Deut. 7:17-19b.

The same God that wiped out powerful armies for the Israelites is the same God who reigns today. Even if it seems that the world is spiraling out of our control, the reality is that the world was never in our control. It’s in God’s hands, and He’s so much more capable than we are. No matter the circumstance, we do not need to be afraid.

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved." Psalm 16:8.

Photo by Denys Nevozhai on Unsplash