Is there an ongoing problem or issue that you are struggling with?
Perhaps it’s something lying deep in your subconscious, a little nagging unrest let’s say. Or maybe you are in a situation that is really difficult, causing fear and worry.
When you’re faced with these times, the answer is to totally let go and trust God to see you through.
Trust is key in living a victorious life. So, why is trust so hard?
Letting go is scary. It means you have to trust someone to catch you. But think about how you already trust without thinking:
You trust the sun will come up,
You trust the airplane pilot will fly you safely to your destination,
You trust that the lights will come on when you flip the light switch,
You trust the grocery store will have food when you go to buy groceries.
When it comes to trusting God, we throw up our own barriers – we start saying things like:
I’m not worthy because of that mistake I made five years ago,
God helps others, he doesn’t help me,
How do I know that this help is God’s help?
On and on with doubts we go. I believe it pains God to hear us talk this way. These self-doubts also stunt our spiritual growth.
What happens when a friend expresses their doubts, fears and self-judgments to you? You assure them that they are not inadequate and you offer encouragement. It’s up to them whether they believe you.
God can’t work through us when we set up barriers. We need to change our thinking.
The story of wineskins is mentioned three times in the Gospels. I think that means, we’re supposed to pay attention.
Mark 2:22 says, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.”
(The same story is in Matthew 9:17, and Luke 5:37.)
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”
We can’t continue with old thinking when we are a new creation. New thinking is required.
That new thinking is that we are forgiven. We are free. Paul went from fiercely persecuting Christians to becoming one of Christ’s most zealous supporters. His testimony is our greatest hope as an example to trusting God to empower us. If he could do it, certainly, we can do it.
Trust is easy when we get out of our own way. Still having trouble? Say one of my favorite prayers:
God, help me to get out of my own way. :)
In the verse prior Paul says, “From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer that way.”
We live in a material world, but we also live in the spiritual world as we walk by faith and not by sight.
Let go and let God empower you. Trust becomes easier when you understand how much God loves you and wants only the very best for you. Think new thinking – new wineskins.
Need help in trusting God and understanding how much God loves you? Download this eBook and audio book called Bringing God’s View Into Focus to Live with Joy and Flow, it’s free.
Jackie Trottmann
October 31, 2019 11:11 amDear Megan,
Thank you for sharing. Megan, if God can forgive David from his killing, adultery, and murder, and still call him a man after God’s heart, I know that God forgives you. If you don’t forgive yourself, you are already held prisoner by that. I hope those that read this will lift Megan up in prayer with me, that she will not be sentenced to jail time, that she will find peace and relief from her PTSD and OCD, and that she will have a renewed awareness of God’s Spirit within her.
In Christ’s love,
Jackie
Megan
October 16, 2019 12:06 amPlease help. I committed a lot of theft and stopped back in February. I am having trouble forgiving myself and I am also filled with worry and anxiety bc this could have possible legal issues. These would cause me to have possible jail time and loss of my son. It’s been 10 months and I haven’t heard from the police. I battle bipolar, OCD, PTSD and severe anxiety to the point I want to end it at times. I used to have such strong faith and over the last 10 years it has dwindled and I just don’t know how to go on being stuck in my head. I know God is forgiving, but I will never be able to forgive myself if I lose my family and son. Please help.
Jackie Trottmann
February 21, 2019 12:51 pmHi Debbi,
I can feel your struggle through what you shared. The relationship certainly doesn’t sound healthy. If you are looking at staying together, I’d suggest getting counseling. Until you each deal with the issues, you won’t find wholeness. It takes two whole people to make a whole couple. Otherwise it IS exhausting and unfulfilling. It sounds like you need to search your heart if you are right for each other. If you don’t resolve your own issues, however, you will carry them to another relationship.
The Holy Spirit will give you guidance.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Debbi Mc duffie
February 21, 2019 7:30 amI have seeing this guy on and off for 2 years now. He doesnt want to be in a committed relationship. But we do things that people in relationship do. But every time things seem to be good one of us sabotages it. I have insecurity issues and he has commitment issues. We both have control issues. We will separate and then end up back together. I’m tired and I need to get out the way and let God do what he has to do. Struggling.
Jackie Trottmann
January 18, 2019 10:57 amHi Sterling,
Well, I think you will receive that help by asking just what you did.
May God show you the Kingdom that’s not of this world by surrendering fully.
Peace to you,
Jackie
Sterling medlin III
January 14, 2019 2:56 pmGod please help me to understand how to get out of the reall world…fleshly tempations..to serve and worship you holy
Jackie Trottmann
November 26, 2016 10:14 amHi Terry,
Thank you.
Jackie
Terry Bradley
November 13, 2016 8:53 pmExcellent words of encouragement
Jackie Trottmann
April 13, 2016 8:53 amHi C.C.,
Thanks for commenting. Glad to hear that these words are what you needed. By the way, spoiler alert, letting go can be a moment by moment choice. So, don’t get discouraged. I have to say those words all of the time, “Let it go,” and “Trust.”
Peace to you,
Jackie
C.C.
April 12, 2016 7:53 pmAmen! I have been struggling with letting go for a little while now. These were just the words God wanted me to hear! Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!