By Michelle Cox
Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)
I’ve cried for the past two days as I’ve watched the horrible footage and seen posts on Facebook from Hurricane Harvey. I have friends in the area who lost their home, and at the time I write this, other friends are poised to evacuate if they can be rescued. It breaks my heart to see so many people whose lives have been shattered, grown men crying as they receive word a family member is safe, and weary hero rescuers headed back out to save more lives.
I’m a fixer by nature. Give me a problem and I’ll fix it. Let someone I love go through a hard time, and I’ll do whatever I can to make things better.
But what do we do when they are things that are too big for us to fix?
I’ve been reminded of that so often lately. My husband and I pray together before we go to bed each night, and our prayer list has gotten longer and longer as family and dear friends deal with cancer, bad news from the cardiologist, job losses, family situations, and the loss of loved ones. So much heartache. So many seemingly impossible circumstances. So many people we love.
I’m so grateful that when the problems are too big for me, they’re never too big for God. Here’s what I’ve learned:
· I can pray for my loved ones. Prayer truly does change things. And I know from personal experience that when going through a hard time, it means the world to have someone say, “I’m praying for you.”
· I can take them a meal and a hug. Hardships are wearying, and simple gestures like this can lessen the stress.
· I can make a financial contribution if warranted. I can send a gift card. Or if I’m not able, I can at least send a card with a handwritten note.
· I can give encouragement by sharing what God’s done for me when I’ve walked through difficult times, and how He’s always been a faithful God.
· I can turn the situations over to the Master Fixer, because placing them in His hands will accomplish way more than I could ever do.
I’m so grateful that whenever I can’t fix things, I know the One who can.
Father, I thank you that you are “enough” for every situation I face. Help me to place my problems into your hands, and to leave them there. Amen.
Michelle Cox is a speaker and the bestselling author of Just 18 Summers, God Glimpses from the Jewelry Box, and God Glimpses from the Toolbox. Her new book, When God Calls the Heart: Devotions from Hope Valley, is available now for pre-order. Visit her at GodGlimpses.com and www.Just18Summers.com. You can follow her at Michelle Cox Inspirations on Facebook and on Twitter @michelleinspire.