The Beach Is Calling: A 10 Day Plan for Rest and RelaxationSample

Letting Go of the Reins

I love the Lord because He hears my prayers and answers them. Because He bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I breathe! PSALM 116:1-2 TLB

It’s comforting to be heard. When we have a conversation and know a friend is truly listening, it feels like a respite for our heart. It feels like a sigh of relief for our soul. It feels like some of the weight we’ve been carrying is lifted.

We all go through lonely times when we’re sure no one can possibly know or understand our personal struggles. But God is bending down to listen closely and let us know He’s always close. He wants us to talk to Him and be open about the things He knows we’re going through because knowing He hears is strengthening us. Praying puts us in God’s presence, and no matter the size of our need or the battle we face, the courage to win is coming when we spend time with Him. We win in life by going to the creator of life and trusting He’s leading the charge through every trial because He is. And the timing of the battle’s end is also His—the challenge to rest in His perfect timing is ours.

Learning to relax and let God take the reins of our life and everything in it is never going to be easy. Our flesh likes to grab hold and share the control. It’s very human of us to look at our circumstances and think we can “go this one alone,” but it’s never a good idea.

Pray about everything. That’s wisdom. And wisdom is always a good idea. In truth, it’s the best idea because it gets God involved. We don’t want to simply believe He sees everything and knows everything; we want to ask Him to be a part of every aspect of our lives in order to guide, teach, and shape us—our transformation for God’s glorification. Our lives will light up this world if we humbly let Him lead.

Father, I love that You hear me, and I trust that You’ll lead me in the way that’s best for my growth and Your glory.