As I’ve been guiding my group of Jesus Girls through their 21-day challenge to jumpstart their own transformation journey––body, mind, and spirit––it fills me with great joy to hear their testimonies of, “Wow, I get it! This makes so much sense. Tying my whole health together for God’s glory is the missing piece of my puzzle.” Their dependence and confidence in Christ go hand in hand.
As I was praying for them last night, a childhood memory came to mind. When I was in the fifth grade, I had to be able to spell I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-T to secure the coveted assignment of being an Independent Speller. I give that formal title because I was pretty stinkin’ proud to be among the few in Mr. Worden’s class.
This seems to be my first memory pointing to my independent, Type-A, control freak personality. Little Miss Independent Speller would go through decades before learning what is truly dependable, and let’s just say all those years I had the wrong answer.
do you have dependence and confidence in christ?
Back to praying for my girls. I know how they feel because I have been where most of them are right now. Trying for years (in my case three decades) to get out of our big hairy messes in our own power.
Check out the definition of independent: not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself; an independent thinker; not subject to another’s authority or jurisdiction.
Yikes. Being Type-A, I persisted on trying to overcome my obstacles in my own might year after year and failed over and over again.
What changed?
In God’s grace and mercy, He revealed to me my stubborn independence got in the way from placing my confidence in Christ. I was the best checklist checker, but until recent years I never checked off the daily delight of spending time in God’s Word.
As the 21-day challenge group goes through this week together, I’ve encouraged them with lots of scripture. Here’s one that came to mind today when I searched dependence.
Hebrews 4:16 Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. (AMP, emphasis mine)
Now, whenever I see the word therefore, my pastor has taught me to ask, “What’s it there for?” So, let’s back up a bit.
Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. (AMP, emphasis mine)
gaining independence from self
Yes, yes, yes! This is the truth has been the theme in our journey this week in the 21-day challenge. We are talking about what it will look like to “Live It!” out. Live out our new commitment to health and wellness as a way to honor and glorify God with our choices to improve not only our physical health, but also our emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
We face temptations every single day. But, because Jesus gifted us with His time and experiences on this earth, we have a confidence knowing He can relate to us. We can trust this.
Now the choice is this. Can we trust that dependence and confidence in Him go hand in hand to help us overcome all of our overwhelming life circumstances?
A resounding yes! This was the key to healing and transforming my life. No matter what the overwhelm is in your life––chronic health issues, chaos in family situations, crisis in your finances––you can find comfort in our great High Priest. Let His Word overwhelm you and move you from your independence to complete dependence and confidence in Him. He’s reaching out His hand. Grab it.
do you need a hand? walk hand in hand with jesus.
What do you need to hand over today to begin depending on and walking confidently with Christ?
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