I Can't, But God Can

Do I Really “Get” God?

He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals His thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – the Lord God Almighty is His name. – Amos 4:13

Doing laundry. Raising well-adjusted kids. Building a good relationship with my husband. Even answering the phone. So often I feel like the responsibility for everything in my life depends on me. And honestly, I doubt my ability to get it all done, and do it all well.

I know I’m not alone in feeling this way. Who doesn’t feel the pressure of higher grocery bills and mouths to feed? What employee doesn’t carry the weight of doing a good job? What mother doesn’t fear her child will give in to peer pressure? These concerns and a thousand others tangle our thoughts into anxious knots. When we feel as if everything depends on us, we carry a heavy burden.

But we’re not alone or solely responsible for making things turn out fine.

When I feel alone, I’ve forgotten God is always with me. And when I feel incapable, it’s usually because I’ve forgotten to acknowledge God’s presence and power.

However, looking to God’s presence and power won’t help us if we don’t believe He is truly sovereign. We need to know and believe just how mighty God is. Otherwise, we’ll look at our limitations and feel like they limit Him. We’ll end up with a God who is only a little bigger, a little stronger, and a little wiser than us. That makes God small.

And when we have a small God, we feel like He depends on us to do a good job… just like everyone else does.

I felt this way when I became a parent. I thought if I read all the how-to books, I could do a good job. I believed the lie that happy, successful children depended on my efforts. Which made me feel very stressed and alone. It wasn’t until I started to “get” God and grasp the wisdom and guidance He provides that I learned to depend on His provision and direction. I no longer felt like I had to raise my kids based solely on my own knowledge and efforts.

God never intended for us to live under the pressure of everything depending on us. It’s when we lean on Him instead of ourselves that we experience supernatural strength and provision.

Reflect on the wisdom of Amos 4:13 and meditate on God’s greatness. If the Lord can do all this, surely He can equip us for whatever our daily tasks may be – from parenting challenges to project deadlines to folding mountains of laundry.

On the other hand, if we set out to make ourselves the measure of all things, we will never experience the full benefit of God’s greatness. It doesn’t have to be this way. Having the right understanding of God frees us from the weight of carrying our burdens alone and allows us to rest in His exceptional power and presence.

Dear Lord, set my sights on You and Your great attributes. Help me to live in Your presence, dependent on Your guidance each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remember

God is bigger, stronger, and wiser than you are. You do not have to carry your burdens alone.

Respond

Whenever you feel frustrated, weak, and alone this week, reassure yourself of God’s promised presence. Apply these truths – “I can’t, God can” and “I’m going to let Him” – to every situation you face.

Power Verses

Ephesians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Excerpted with permission from Encouragement for Today by The Proverbs 31 Team, copyright Zondervan 2013.

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Your Turn

In what ways have you envisioned God to be nothing more than a super-sized version of yourself? How can reflecting on His true attributes infuse you with strength? Practice today facing challenges saying, “I can’t, but God can!”

Happy Mother’s Day from Devotionals Daily! We pray you have a blessed day being celebrated and loved, and celebrating the mothers in your life! ~ Devotionals Daily