“You are trying to control things and do them in your own strength.” God whispered to me recently as I fought and struggled to finish a project that is due right after Thanksgiving.

I was pressing to make sure that I have it done before Thanksgiving break. The project is dependent on others submitting information in a timely fashion. The last five years since I became responsible for the project, I have not been able to have Thanksgiving break which meant exhaustion as I tried to balance working and family events. Anyone with a chronic illness knows what the aftermath of that is and how long recovery takes. I was determined that this year I would have a Thanksgiving break.

Is it wrong for me to want a Thanksgiving break? Nope, not at all. Where I went wrong was pressing to make it happen no matter what. And, God had brought it to my attention. I must admit that I didn’t like hearing what I knew to be true.

This week, God allowed events that made me fully aware that the only way I will have a Thanksgiving break this year is by His grace. What I thought would be a simple and routine doctor appointment Monday resulted in multiple referrals to multiple specialties with many appointments to follow. Each of these, as you all well know, take time and sap energy. Then, more events happened that are making a challenging time impossible for me to even think about handling in my own strength. Isn’t that incredibly cool? God put me in a place where it is only Him and His grace that will allow me to even finish the project by the due date. He has me where I must rely on Him to do what I cannot.

I “should be” completely stressed out. The chances of having a break disappeared, the chances of finishing everything in time almost null. And yet, there is only peace. For, you see, God got my attention. He showed me that I can be still and let Him take complete control. If I have a break, awesome. If not, He is in control of that and will give all that is needed. He can do a much better job at this anyway!

And so, while we have shared some of these verses before, I must share them again as they are helping me to simply rest and be still.

1. Psalm 46:10, “¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
2. Exodus 14:14, “¹⁴ The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”

Do you find yourself in an impossible place right now? Do not fear. That is a “Him-possible” place!

We will be looking at many of the verses about being still over the next few days. In these, they line up perfectly with Thanksgiving month. For, whatever happens, to Him be the glory! We praise Him!

It Is Well