Author David Benner says, “It’s so hard for many of us to encounter things we can’t fix…That’s the trouble with living in a broken world. The problems are simply too vast and our solutions are, at best, half-vast… But note how God seems to relate to these vast problems. God’s response seems to be to come alongside those who are suffering and hold their pain, not eliminate it. Perhaps there’s a lesson in that for fixers. Perhaps it’s an invitation to stand with God in holding things that we can’t fix. But, this is where the real miracle enters this process–in that holding, we become shaped in the image of Compassion. Maybe that’s the ultimate point of the encounter with unfixable realities.”
Consider:
What are you holding today? This may be a burden or it may be a dream…
Are you trying to hold onto it tightly, do your own fixing, or fulfill your own plan?
What would it feel like to release these things to God, stand with him, and allow him to hold what is weighing you down?
Share:
In your heart, share with God whatever you are holding. What is God calling you to that you long to hold out to him?
Ask God to give you a word that describes what you are holding.
Open your hands and picture that thing sitting there, waiting for God to come alongside and carry that burden or dream with you.
Present your “holding word” to God with confidence that he loves you perfectly, passionately, and unconditionally.
Affirm:
Write your holding word on a note card and place it in a location where you will see it every day.
Ask the Spirit for guidance and strength as you surrender your holding word to him.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!
Psalm 139:23-24