Holding Back by Holding On

Have you ever watched someone you love struggle? Of course, you have.

• Have you watched someone you love struggle while you have the power to do something about it?

There are times in our lives we are put in positions to help those around us with the influence we have been given by God. Then, there are the harder to discern and deal with times. Ones where we have the power and influence to make a difference, but we are called to be still.

“Surrender your anxiety. Be still and realize that I am God. I am God above all nations, and I am exalted throughout the whole earth.” Psalm 46:10 (TPT)

A comforting promise. A great sentiment. A promise often left on the table because we stop there. Do you put this into practice in your life and the life of those you love? Being still is difficult, it seems like it should be easy, but it’s not. It’s anything but.

Helping people is often what we want to do as Christians, especially if they are someone we love as a friend or family member. To sit back and watch them suffer when you think you hold the power to change it is illogical to our human minds. The key word in that last sentence is "think," read it again.

• Your striving doesn't change their circumstances; it might even get worse!

Have you considered you might be their roadblock to blessing? You might be the thing standing between them and breakthrough…When you forget to be still and know that God is God, you essentially call yourself God and you step in to take His place. You are saying in effect, “I don’t believe this can happen without me. God is taking too long, and I have the real power to make a change.”

While this sounds shocking and we might argue we don’t mean this, it’s what we are doing when we disregard this promise in the Bible. You say, “I don’t see a promise attached to this command.” That’s because we often stop reading the passage with the comforting thought. Keep reading.

• Here He stands! The Commander! The mighty Lord of Angel Armies is on our side! The God of Jacob fights for us!” Psalm 46:11 (TPT)

Our Lord promises that He is already standing there as The Commander. He will fight for us, but we MUST do our part and be still. I am not saying there is never a time when the Lord won’t call you to action. He gives and takes away influence and provides help through His people often. I am simply suggesting that the breakthrough you are praying for and often fighting for in someone else’s, or even your own life, may only come one way.

You’ve tried fighting. Why don’t you try reading and applying. Be still…Here He stands!