Friday, August 20, 2010

God Helps With All Things

"Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him." -- Psalm 62:5

Life is great! Really. It is. No major worries or complaints. Lots and lots of blessings. I couldn't be happier. I'm sure of it. No problems.

So why am I so stressed out? It's called the abundance trials mixed with a huge dose of guilt. Because I really do feel guilty about being so stressed when things are going so well. Know what I mean?

The down side of abundance is that time becomes scarcer and scarcer. Everybody seems to want something -- right now. It doesn't matter if it's help with a project, preparing for company, a new vehicle or a special piece of furniture. I love doing it all. I'm grateful for the work. Last year I was stressed at the opposite end of the spectrum with no work and the financial pressures that comes with that. I am so, so thankful for this abundance.

So I end up trying to deal with all the hands reaching for me all by myself. I don't want to take it to God. I don't want Him to hear me whining. What if He takes all these blessings away? That is such a scary thought. I am grateful to Him for all He's done for me. He has answered my prayers. It's just that this juggling act is tiring and the well is starting to run a little dry.

Sounds silly, doesn't it? I can almost hear Him saying, "Child, child," as He opens His arms to me. God never intended for me to manage it all by myself. What made me think He did? He's just been patiently waiting for me to ask for His help. It's certainly not like I was hiding anything from Him. He knew my stress level was increasing at a rapid pace.

Isn't that like us so much of the time? We want to do it all by ourselves, whether it's managing a crisis or an abundance. Maybe more so with an abundance. We want to believe the abundance should be something we can manage without bothering God. Except we're never a bother to Him. Never.

I feel His peace settle over me as a write these words. My soul is at rest and my strength starts to return. I feel His Presence as He takes my hand and shows me how to navigate this abundance He has so graciously sent my way.