Make Room

Do we have times in our life when we’re caught up with an issue or a problem that causes us a lot of concern? We can be so anxious about this that it seems to take over our whole mind. We know the Bible tells us not to worry (Philippians 4:6), but what can we do? It won’t go away, and it wears us down.

Then, perhaps, someone might say, “Why don’t you give it to Jesus?” Often this is even more frustrating. How can we do this? Do we just hand it over to Him and walk away? Do we pray that He will take it from us? The Apostle Paul pleaded with God three times that He would take his own affliction from him. But God had another way: “My grace is sufficient for you” (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).

Sometimes the issue can be so big we can’t see round it, or over it, and then there’s no room for Jesus. When the disciples in the boat were being thrown about by the waves, they panicked. They woke Jesus up and shouted, “Master, we’re going to drown” (Luke 8:4). They were so overcome by the situation that they had forgotten all the miracles they had witnessed, and that the Son of God Himself was in the boat with them.

There are times when we also may struggle to work out in our minds how God can rescue us from a difficult situation. As Christians we know we have the Spirit of God living within us. But do we sometimes allow anxiety and doubt to rise up and take over, as we try to come to terms with the Scriptures such as ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart’ (Proverbs 3:5) and `Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you` (Hebrews 13:5)?

Can we make more room in our hearts for Jesus, and not crowd Him out by the pressures of anxiety? As we come before Him in repentance and thanksgiving, we can approach His throne of grace with confidence, because He is bigger than any troublesome situation. We can allow Him to fill our hearts with His presence and overcome all our fear and doubt. ‘The Light of the World’ shines in the darkness. Darkness must give way to light, and our confidence in the presence of Christ will be greater than any adversity.

We’re not exempt from difficulties. The Bible says, ‘In this world you will have trouble’ (John 16:33). But is our life so full of problems that we cannot make room for Jesus? He’s our companion, friend and Saviour. He is with us through all our trials and tribulations. Let’s hold on to Him and know that He will never let go of us. The closer we walk with Him, the closer He is to us. He loves us and cares for every aspect of our lives. He is with us, even as we walk through the darkest valley, and in Him is our confidence and comfort.

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for Your presence in my life. I pray that this would not just be an intellectual knowledge or understanding, but an overwhelming sense of Your Spirit within me. Lord, I want to know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. Reign in me, Sovereign Lord, in the name of Jesus. Amen.