I have small children and often times my day, being “good” or “bad” revolves around their behaviors and their attitudes. It makes me feel completely out of control and then I get a bit edgy.

There have been times when life feels relentless and I have to walk away (by myself in another room, mom’s don’t get that much). There have been times I did not know what else to do except cry out the name of Jesus. Nothing said, except the sweet subtle name of Jesus. He knows my heart, He knows my inner thoughts. So I just cry out in His name.

Here is a really awesome song that gives me such encouragement and reassurance in my Lord. I hope this song, “There is Power” by Lincoln Brewster encourages you as much as it does me. Here is a link http://youtu.be/UoOJwel1CQU

But what if?

But, what if I didn’t let my day be controlled by outside influences? My children’s behavior. The driver in front of me while I’m taking my kids to school late. Again! The lady at the checkout, I won’t mention the store, that has blamed me for employees stocking the shelves in front of the wrong tags.

What if, instead of crying out to Jesus at the end of my rope, I walk with Jesus and I let Him go a step before me. What if my decisions and my attitude revolved around Jesus’ promises and assurances to me? What if I don’t let the circumstances or surroundings of my day become bigger than my God?

What if?  

My life, if I let it, can quickly define me or my God, if I let Him, will define me.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:1, 4

We can remember the victory is already His or we can let our faith be pushed behind our circumstances. We can remember that we are His children or we can continue to live as children of this world.

I have been wrestling with putting short temporary things in my life (my children’s feelings, the lady at the drive-thru, the person cutting in line at the checkout) on a scale of uttermost importance.

Last week, our pastor was talking about idols and taking things in our lives and weighing them high on the scale.

He gave a wonderful illustration. He explained, it is when you take good things (kids, spouse, family, jobs, our success, money, hobbies, our kid’s hobbies, ministry, etc.) and turn them into ultimate things.  

I feel like so many times that I am stretched thin beyond my own recollection, it is due to turning little petty things into monster things.

I have made my ultimate, My God, take a back seat to me and I begin to feel defeated. Why?

Because I belong to Him. First and foremost, when I make God my center, my rock, I cannot be shaken, He is the firm foundation on which I stand.

When I let my surroundings determine who I am, how I feel, and how I respond, I am on sifting sinking sand. Because those are things of this world and like all things they will pass. And when the tide gets high or life gets overwhelming, I shift. I sink.  

What are some of the things you are struggling with making your priority or ultimate thing? What are the good or bad things that you have let become your ultimate thing?

What is my solution? What is our solution? 

Build our life on the solid foundation of Christ. Remember that we are His children. We need to take a hold of His promises and wrap them around us like a life-saving buoy. 

The promises He has given us are not shakable or dependent on this moment but are grounded in eternity. Is our ultimate thing potentially furthering the kingdom of Heaven?

Friends I am so glad that you have sat down with us today. I would love to further this conversation. Encourage us in the comments with your favorite verses to overcome life’s struggles.

I hope you will stick around and get to know some of these amazing writers. Share and Comment, it is appreciated!