How will I cope?

My son, Isaac, was 5 years old when he suddenly declared to me that he wouldn’t be going to Middle School! When I asked why, he informed me that the days were too long, there was too much homework and he was never ever going to remember where all the classes were!

Isaac had watched his older brother adjust to the change in school and had decided, from his 5 year old perspective, that this was not something that he could cope with. He didn’t seem to understand that there were another 6 years of maturing, growing, developing and preparation that would happen before he would ever have to cope with such a big change.

Sometimes I think we can be just like this. How many times do we look ahead at something and wonder how we will cope? For some there can be fear and anxiety of the future as we look at the real (and enemy-created) mountains that lie ahead… and the same cry comes from our hearts “But how will I cope?”. We sit down on the inside at the prospect of what lies ahead and simply decide in our hearts we can’t do it. It is just too much!

Others look at the future with a confidence and strength, not truly in the Lord, but rather in themselves. They have become their own protector and so anything laid in their path is simply a challenge that they can conquer. They know they will cope… because they have to!

Neither way is the Lord’s way. He sets a path ahead for us that is perfect for our lives. He knows all the struggles and ‘mountains’ we will face and if we yield our hearts to Him, He will prepare us and strengthen us for each task. We don’t need to look ahead with fear or with ‘soulish’ determination, we can simply know that God will mature us and prepare us for all that we have to walk through, if only we allow Him.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You that as I offer my life to You, You take my life and You work in Your timing and in Your way to bring maturity and growth. It isn’t my job to do this, Lord. I can trust all of my future into Your hands and know that as I draw close to You and Your heart, You will work Your transformation and growth in my life. You alone will prepare me for all that lies ahead and I don’t need to have my ‘cope’ plan in place. Lord, thank You for the peace and rest that this brings to my heart – to simply know You are in charge. In Jesus’ name, Amen.