Let Go: Trusting God in All Situations (Caleb part 2)

When you come across a problem in your life or in your homeschool, what is your reaction?

Are you trusting God to conquer that problem?
Or trusting in yourself & becoming paralyzed?

Let’s go back to Numbers and see how the spies responded to their mission from God.  If you don’t have your Bible handy, you can read Numbers 13:21-33 here.

A majority of the spies reacted to the land of Canaan in this way:

“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.
The land is flowing with milk and honey, but we are scared to take it.
We are grasshoppers in their eyes. Surely they will crush us.”

On the other hand, Joshua & Caleb knew that God would help them conquer the land.  In verse 30, we read:

Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.”

It’s the only way to conquer his giant enemies, or his giant problems.  He knows the Lord promised this land to the Israelites.  The Lord will conquer the land for them.

This reminds me of my reactions to problems in my life – both giant or small.

Overall, I am a fairly confident person.

If a problem arises, I believe I can conquer it.  I believe I can take action and deal with it.

For me, homeschooling was not a huge issue.  We simply moved forward, one day at a time.  I prayed about how to spend our time, what subjects to cover and which activities to join.  We had our ups & downs, but nothing too major.

However, God has seen fit to humble me, recently placing problems in my life that are bigger than me.  I’ve learned that God is much bigger than my “giant” problems.   ONLY God will see me through…and His solution may not be mine.  In other words, I must give up control & give it to God.

More than anything, I am learning (notice I’m using present tense because I am still learning) to count it all joy.  James addresses this issue.

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (patience). And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. James 1:2-8

You may be going through some trials today, this week or this month.

• Are you struggling with one of your kids to follow the Lord?
• Are you having problems financially, in too much debt?
• Are you unsure whether you are teaching your kids the right subjects?
• Are you unsure about your methods for teaching at home?
• Are you having marital problems?  Always arguing? Not serving your spouse?

Your problems may look gigantic, just like the 10 spies saw the Canaanites as gigantic.  You don’t have to follow the unfaithful spies; instead follow Caleb’s example of faith & trust in God.

Reread James 1 above and you will see that God gives wisdom to those who ask.

He will give wisdom to you generously, no holding back.

As you ask for wisdom, be sure to ask in faith.  If you doubt your Lord, you are a double-minded mom who shouldn’t expect anything.  If you don’t have the faith to ask, start asking for faith.

In conclusion, I will be completely honest.

There is a situation in my life that has taken years to turn over to God.  I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that He will solve it.  But, I still have tiny doubts whether He will do that for me.

I continue to ask God for faith, for His wisdom & for His power to conquer this trial.  I want to trust Him like Caleb.

My prayer for each of you is to trust God completely in all trials – homeschooling, parenting, marriage, finances.

 

 

 

How will you follow Caleb’s example of faith this week?

(Please include this bio if you reprint the above article)

Kerry Beck, author of Raising Leaders, Not Followers, has a free homeschooled workshop on Start School Right.  To get the details, click on this link . . .http://www.Raising-Leaders.com

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