The Antidote for Anxiety and Depression: Trust in Abba Father’s Care – Pt 4
You Can Trust the Lord With All Your Heart!
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
– Proverbs 3:5-6
When I applied to attend university to pursue my first degree, I had no idea how I would finance it. When I got accepted to the university, I was so stricken by anxiety and depression (which was usually my first response) because I knew that there was no way I could have afforded to go. On the other hand, there was a flood of excitement that drowned all my thoughts that God was unable to provide everything I needed to attend university and complete the degree. As a matter of fact, I had such complete trust in Him (which I didn’t always have but over the years I’ve learnt to trust Him) that I decided to take time out to seek His guidance for my new journey.
In so doing. I felt the Holy Spirit’s leading to do things that to the natural man was considered imprudent. I didn’t understand it all nonetheless I purposed in my heart to trust in the Lord. I was directed to give away many of my personal belongings. Some things I didn’t remember that I had and others I considered insignificant. I didn’t just give them to anyone but I was told by the Holy Spirit to whom to give what. To my amazement they were all things that all of those persons needed at the time. I thought that was just like “…God to choose the foolish things of the world to confound the wise…” (1 Corinthians 1:27a).
I had such faith and confidence in God that even though during the process of preparing to leave my home to pursue studies in another country there were no physical evidence of provision, my faith didn’t waver. Therefore, persons thought that I was ‘crazy’. To others, I was seen as a ‘woman of great faith’.
A few days before I was scheduled to travel to Barbados with no paid airfare but a seat reservation, there was still no money. Then, I boldly approached God’s throne of grace and asked Him when was He going to provide the money because I believed by then I would have already received everything I needed to go off to university. God’s response to me was, “When you think your supply is low, look for something to give”. I was flabbergasted as I thought, what more can I give away? To me I scarcely had anything of value or significance remaining that I can give to anyone. However, the Holy Spirit showed me other things I possessed that I didn’t consider before to give away, and to whom I should give them. Those were some of my most treasured possessions, and I had no intention of giving them away. Nevertheless, I trusted the Lord completely so I obeyed. Yet there were still no physical evidence of money up to the very day I left home.
The end result was that God did indeed direct my path. The moment I was about to leave my home for the airport (with no paid airfare nor money for tuition, etc but a Word from God that He will provide), God caused a sister in the Church to call me to wish me all the best. She offered to take me to the airport. When she picked me up at my gate, she handed me an envelope with the exact amount of money that I needed to pay my airfare. She had no idea that my plane ticket had not yet been paid. She was just lead by God to bring me that amount of money. When I got to Barbados, everything that I needed to live there and successfully complete my course of studies were provided and more.
To “trust” in the Lord means to place your hope in Him and keep your hope there; to have faith in Him; to believe every word that He has spoken concerning your life and that His promises are yes and amen; to have confidence in His ability and willingness to take care of you; and to know without a shadow of a doubt that He loves you unconditionally and that there isn’t anything that can separate you from His love.
With all your “heart” means with all your emotions, instincts, and passions; with the inner aspect of your life – intellectually, psychologically, and spiritually.
To not lean on your own “understanding” means to totally depend on Him rather than on your own mind or ability to think, to reason, to understand, and to comprehend, regardless of what you know based on what you see, feel, hear or think. Knowing that the condition of the mind is what determines the condition of one’s life (See Philippians 4:7 in the devotion on January 6).
In all your “ways” means in your lifestyles, habits, conduct, behaviours, practices, customs, activities, and deeds.
To “acknowledge” Him means to recognize His presence, to reverence Him, and to accept His help and guidance in every area of your life, even in the little things.
Friends, God can and He wants to help you to overcome anxiety and depression the same as He has done for me. He is no respecter of persons. He loves and cares for you just as much as He does for me. Would you trust Him with all your heart and lean not unto your own understand today? If you would acknowledge Him in all your ways, He sure will direct your path. All of this is possible when you have a love relationship with Him.
Have a blessed day!
MY PRAYER FOR TODAY
Heavenly Father I worship You today and praise Your great name. Your name is Emmanuel, my God who is always with me, leading and guiding my every step. Thank You for always showing me the right way, even on journeys that seem impossible. I declare that the Lord Jesus Christ is directing my path as I hope in Him continuously with everything that is within me, totally depend on Him instead of my mind, and recognize His presence in my entire lifestyle. I pray this by faith in Jesus’ name. Amen!
