For the last few months I have been wrestling with trusting God 100%. I had to be honest with myself because there is a different in saying and doing! Let's be transparent here: my husband and I have been struggling with our finances and juggling trying to live on one income, taking care of medical bills, working to get out of debt, and all the unexpected expenses. Of course I know what the scriptures say about trust and surrendering all to God, but I have haven't been doing that. I have been slipping back into "US" trying to work things out and forgetting about giving everything to God! I have been praying and asking God for forgiveness and direction.
His direction was to dig deeper and get to the root of the problem! Why is it so hard for me to let go and let God? God revealed the parable about the four soils in Matthew 13: 3-23 (please read when you have time). Basically we see that the farmer planted seeds and they fell either on the foothpath (those who hear the message and don't understand), rocky soil (those who receive the message and are filled with joy, but don't last), among thorns (hear the message but mind is crowed with worries and issues of the world) , or in good fertile soil (truly receive the message and understand God's word).
As you can see from the picture above, you either fall into hardened, shallow, contaminated, or receptive soil.
This lead to the question: How do I fall into good soil?(to develop deep roots that will allow me to hear and understand God's word and produce an abundant harvest)
I was truthful with myself and realized that I was contaminated with issues of this world: How do we pay our bills? What does the future hold? How will we get out of debt? How will our career and business prosper? Will be be good parents? Will my children develop properly?
Webster dictionary defines contamination as to soil, stain, corrupt, or infect by contact or association. Satan uses these things to infect or corrupt our minds in order to keep us from all of God's blessings. So I dug a little deeper (going to be an expert on contamination...LOL). Wikipedia describes soil contamination as the process that is caused by the presence of xenobiotics (human made) chemicals or alterations that are buried directly in the soil. This contamination is initiated by Satan (who comes to kill, steal, and destroy..) and I carry out the process by forming these xenobiotics in my life: worrying about marriage, children, finances, career, etc. Another form of contamination is when water washes contamination from one area to another. (Allowing past issues from one relationship spill over into a new one, past issues I've dealt with resurface in my current state)
If I'm planted in contaminated soil this will impact the health of the root....me! So how do I fix this?
Cleanup requires time and can be expensive. How much of you and your time is worth the cost of getting your soil back right? Let's not run to Lowes or Homedepot and buy the soil in the pretty bag that is labeled with all its benefits. I consider this the quick fix which just covers up the soil already there when it could actually be contaminated soil anyway. Rather take the route that takes time and an intimate relationship with God to flush contaminates out by removing strongholds and surrendering all to God and treating our soil daily through God's word (Matthew 4:24-25), prayer, and praise.
With the right soil in place, we are able to draw nourishment from the soil through our roots..... Will you make the decision today to let go of the xenobiotics in your life and work towards allowing God to take root?
You said this quite perfectly and we too have had our struggles, but you are so very right about being as you put it planted in good soil. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!! Happy Mother's Day, too!! :)
Thank God for revelation, When going through life's situations, the thing I know to be true is the very thing I struggle with. Had someone come to me I would encourage them to seek God and trust, it's funny how we sometimes look differently when it's us. God revealed to me not long ago " I wrote the end to your story already" that made me realize, that what I saw, and where I thought I was in God's plan is wayyyy different than the fathers. So I did what you suggested and praised past my confusion, frustration, etc until his plan is manifest. Thank you for reminding us to truly seek God and not forget his promises to us.
Quana...I like to say that I'm overwhelmed in overflow! No matter had difficult the problem may be God is there! Thanks for your encouraging words! God bless!
Chamel, this was a beautifully written on-time word! My pastor says that we too often get caught up in trying to fix "fruit" issues instead of dealing with the "root". If we never fix the root, we can never expect to bear fruit in the ways that we desire, or in ways that are truly pleasing to Him.
Erin thanks for your kind remarks! Many just want to put a bandaid on things...I'm guilty of it! Today I declare that we have to get to the root in order to build a solid foundation with God! God bless you!
You said this quite perfectly and we too have had our struggles, but you are so very right about being as you put it planted in good soil. Thanks for sharing and have a great weekend!! Happy Mother's Day, too!! :)
ReplyDeleteJanine Thanks and Happy Mother's day to you too!
DeleteThank God for revelation, When going through life's situations, the thing I know to be true is the very thing I struggle with. Had someone come to me I would encourage them to seek God and trust, it's funny how we sometimes look differently when it's us. God revealed to me not long ago " I wrote the end to your story already" that made me realize, that what I saw, and where I thought I was in God's plan is wayyyy different than the fathers. So I did what you suggested and praised past my confusion, frustration, etc until his plan is manifest. Thank you for reminding us to truly seek God and not forget his promises to us.
ReplyDeleteQuana...I like to say that I'm overwhelmed in overflow! No matter had difficult the problem may be God is there! Thanks for your encouraging words! God bless!
DeleteChamel, this was a beautifully written on-time word! My pastor says that we too often get caught up in trying to fix "fruit" issues instead of dealing with the "root". If we never fix the root, we can never expect to bear fruit in the ways that we desire, or in ways that are truly pleasing to Him.
ReplyDeleteErin thanks for your kind remarks! Many just want to put a bandaid on things...I'm guilty of it! Today I declare that we have to get to the root in order to build a solid foundation with God! God bless you!
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