Confusion Confessions

Oh, I am so confused. I wonder what I need to do next. I thought I had a plan. I had figured out my purpose, which is supposed to keep me on track, but now something else seems more compelling. I assumed that goal would keep me going in the right direction. But I was wrong. Now I am wondering how I will tackle the big project? Oh dear, now I am getting cold feet. I am afraid even to begin the project, since I will probably fail. And if I do start, I am scared I won’t know what to do next. Plus I wouldn’t even know where to launch. In the conundrum of mental confusion, I can’t trust my thoughts.

This recent conversation in my head reminds me of my human weakness and frailty. I have increased insight, a positive perspective, and renewed hope about how God transforms.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:12

It’s a great exchange, one we welcome—when God finally changes our chaos into peace. We can always rely on the One whose strength is enough. But can we willingly give up our confusion?

“You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3

Trusting God is how we make the choice to release our disorder and chaos for the presence of the Holy Spirit. TRUST: Total Reliance Under Stress and Trials. Sounds easy, but this trust thing is a disciplined choice.

It always helps me to serve someone else even when I don’t yet feel calm. Joyce Meyer says, “Where the mind goes, the man follows.” If we act the way we want to feel, very soon we will find strength to begin the project, return the favor, even clean up other people’s messes because we decided we would go beyond our feelings about it. Is this faking it? Absolutely not. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, “For when I am weak, I am strong.” Jesus taught us that if we want to be great, we must submit, surrender, and serve. In Philippians 2:7 we read that even Jesus Himself “made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” God uses humble means (that’s us) to exercise His power. He will use us—imperfect people—to do His will. 2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.” 

So when you and I are feeling not so powerful, unsure of what we might contribute to the kingdom or if we will finish what we have started out to do, remember: God in us is greater than we could ever be on our own. And He has prepared good things for us to do. 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 

Let’s pray: 

Dear Lord, thank you for working in and through me. Thank you for your mighty strength and power, available to me. Thank you for taking my confusion and chaos. Thank you for replacing it with your presence and peace. Let me glorify you in all I do. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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