Which Phrase Best Describes You?

I can do this, or God can do this.

I wish I could say that I always picked the latter one.  For years, I tried to do life in my own strength.  I was always striving and never really at peace.  Can anyone relate?

It took a season of brokenness for me to realize that I cannot do it all on my own.  As I cried out to God for help, He faithfully walked with me.

Learning to depend on God was a gift in the middle of my greatest heartbreak.   

Friends, God wants to give you this same gift.  The gift of His Presence in Your Life!  He wants to do life with you.  He wants you to seek Him, rely on Him, and allow His Strength and Power to guide you.

What does this look like practically?  Open Hands! 

I love this prayer that Pastor Buddy Owens has taught us at Saddleback Church.  As you pray, instead of folding your hands tight, keep your palms open wide and pointed up toward God.  As you do this physical act with your hands, say, “God, I give this to you.”   Then turn your hands over so they are pointing down and release it to Him.  Lastly, as you ask God for His strength, power, and wisdom, turn your palms up one more time to receive His provision.

This prayer of surrender is a powerful first step. 

But there is a next step.  After God guides you and places a calling in your heart, then you must be faithful and do the hard work.  I love what Jennifer Dukes Lee says in her book, It’s All Under Control, “We surrender outcomes, not effort.”

Our job is faithfulness.  God’s job is fruitfulness. 

Friends, this is where it gets exciting.  We don’t need to worry or compete.  We just need to be faithful and do the next step God has directed us to do.  As we follow God’s plan for our lives, He will handle everything else. Honestly, it does not get any better than that. 

So today, as you live out your unique calling on your life, let me ask you a question: Which phrase best describes you?

I can do this in my own strength or God can do this through me as I rely on His Strength.

I pray we will always choose God’s strength!

Love, Jodi

2 Comments

  1. Marc Julagay on September 4, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    Good stuff Jodi! My strength or God’s strength. Yea, that’s my battle – between my “Imagined Self” and my “Real Self.” It’s an every day battle isn’t it. Great post! Blessings.



    • Jodi Rosser on September 4, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Thanks Marc! Glad you liked the post. Yes, my strength or God’s strength- a decision we make every day.



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