As a military wife, there were times I was surrounded by grief that followed the lifestyle, including the day I found out that a good friend of mine lost her husband in an airplane crash. It wasn’t just the crash that was absolutely devastating, but the fact that she witnessed it first-hand with her two daughters. How did she cope? Two ways.

Depending ON God means Surrendering TO God. There are a myriad of things we can try to take away our pain and sadness — alcohol, drugs, or food, are just a few examples — yet nothing will satisfy and fulfill our need for comfort and strength until we run into the arms of God and lay ourselves before Him, relinquishing all control to Him.

Moment-to-Moment Action. Relying on God requires the intentional acknowledgement, on a daily basis, that Jesus is enough and that all we have been given is from Him. It is a constant choosing to trust God to meet all of our needs and desires each and every day, especially when we are going through a crisis.

My friend had every reason to be all consumed with the deep sorrow of losing her husband, but instead, she chose to be sustained by an all-consuming God. The following lyrics are a good reminder that our strength is dependent upon our Lord.

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live. — Van de Venter

Heavenly Father, thank you for being enough for me. I acknowledge that you are the giver of life and that you have given me your Holy Spirit for strength, power, and wisdom. Forgive me when I have gone to other things to try and fulfill me rather than going to you. I recognize my deep yearning for you alone. Amen.

Go Deeper — Every one of us gravitates to something in times of distress. Ask yourself what that is for you, and then yield it to God, expecting that He will give you exactly what you need to come through victorious!



Tags: dependence Isaiah 40
Photo Credit: Steven Van Loy