“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will make the answers known to you through Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 4:6-7 TPT
The other day Jason and I were riding the bike trails and somehow I managed to get a large stick stuck in my wheel, so I had to stop. Things were going great, I was actually flying on the trail and excited about my progress, and then here comes this stick that caused me to have to stop and deal with it. So I stopped, got it out of my wheel, and continued on the path. Then, not too long after that I flew right into a tree. I was okay, but it took me a minute to realize what happened. My first reaction was, “This trail is too hard! It’s too advanced for me! It wasn’t my fault because I shouldn’t even be on this trail!” haha I think I even said that. But you know, I just had to get back on the bike and keep moving forward on the trail. That’s what matters.
Accidents. Mistakes. We all make them. We’re human. This is no surprise.
Looking at my life, I’ve noticed two extremes I am tempted to go into when I make an honest mistake — I can choose to place blame and run from taking responsibility of the mistake, or I can go into a self-bashing overload mode and consider myself to be a failure.
In situations where I’ve been most afraid, I’ve looked first to see if maybe it “wasn’t my fault”, and then I’ll often go into all the self-bashing, mental turmoil, negative self-talk after.
Our Father knows us, He’s not surprised by us, and thankfully He’s already got the solutions.
I’m so relieved to know that He has a better way than mine.
“If you bow low in God’s awesome presence, he will eventually exalt you as you leave the timing in his hands.
Pour out all your worries and stress upon him and leave them there, for he always tenderly cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:6-7 TPT
I’m so thankful that when we make mistakes, when accidents happen and we’re troubled, like a child, we can run to our Heavenly Father and tell Him, “Father! I made a mistake! I need You, help me!” and He will help us, He will cover us with peace.
We don’t know how He will deal with the situation, how He will work it out, exactly, but when we run to Him, we can trust that He will “coat us” with a protective covering of peace as we deal with taking the responsibility of our mistakes and accidents –As we wait upon the Lord to help us in handling the situation. No matter what we may face.
When we follow this way, we can trust that it’s going to be alright in God’s timing.
Proverbs 24:16 says, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he will get up, but the wicked will stumble into ruin.”
Psalm 37:23-24 says, “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, And He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong, Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.”
Notice it says, “when” not “if“? It’s part of life.
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
He’s got us. Though we don’t always know how specific daily outcomes will play out, we can rest knowing thing nothing surprises our Father, He already knows. And He already knows the way out. He’s already on it.
Do you know what this is? Our Heavenly Father is teaching us how to live life –living honestly, and completely dependent upon Him. Seeking His guidance. He wants us to run to Him, telling Him everything…. then He wipes our tears, dusts us off, and shows us how to move forward — all within the peace and protection of His presence.
-Heather ?