“Sometimes the very things that we fight against, the very things that we think are trying to pull us down are actually the hand of God trying to push us into a new season.” – Joel Osteen
I have always struggled with selfishness. I freely admit it because it is a struggle that has caused me a great deal of anxiety and pain throughout my life. But because of this struggle, I have often fought God when He has tried to take things or people away from me, even or as much as I have fought Him when He has tried to give me anything. I have mixed feelings when I sing one of my favorite worship songs, “Blessed Be the Name” when we sing the words, “He gives and takes away.” The part of me that doesn’t trust God fully gets angry because I’m afraid He’ll give and take away something which will cause me pain or discomfort. The part of me that does trust that God only wants to bless me and knows what’s best for me has peace and joy. So every time I sing it, I have to decide which part of me I’m going to side with. I force myself to remember that God loves me, even if I don’t feel it—with a love deeper than my love for my own children. And because of that love, I don’t have to be afraid or angry. This is a daily love story between me and my God.
But, even lovers fight. I want something that He doesn’t want to give me. Or He wants to give me something that I don’t want to accept. I save myself a lot of heartache if I just keep my hands open. Open to release, open to accept. First I have to realize just how tightly closed my hands (fists!) are before I can pry them open. As soon as the tension is released, life becomes much more laid back. As I get to know God better, I see the glimmer in His eyes when He looks at me, how He longs for me, how He patiently and persistently pursues me, how He just waits for the right moment to give me His greatest gifts…because I have to be ready for them.
The right time to give up a fight is that moment when I allow His embrace to dissipate my fear.
The Art of Choosing True Life 