Hebrews 12

Sometimes I keep my struggles and pains to myself a little too much. I think of the problems going on with other people or in other countries and I push my problems aside. I'm not an "open book" and I don't tend to wear my heart on my sleeve for any one's taking. However, tonight when I was thinking about the reasons why I was feeling overwhelmed I was reminded to think of the last time I was and open book with God. I get so focused on not telling the people around me about my struggles and not placing my sorrows on any one else...I sometimes forget that God wants to hear my struggles. Even though He already knows what's going on in my life, He wants to hear me tell him, to be honest with him about what I am dealing with. As humans, we get so caught up in life and what is going on here on earth, that we sometimes forget that the ONE who cares more than any one else, wants to hear our stories about our day and wants to know how our hearts are broken. As I was sitting thinking of all of the crazy-ness in the world and in my life I was reminded of a few verses that continually remind me of who God is to me.

Hebrews 12: 1-3

      Therefore, since we are surrounded by such great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us RUN with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will NOT grow weary and lose heart.

This verse literally takes my breath away. No matter how many times I read it and dwell on it, Gods grace and love for me is so great! I love how it starts and ends with us getting rid of our baggage and our doubts, our worries and our sorrows. He doesn't want us to forget that they have already been taken care of, Jesus "endured the cross" to get rid of all of our pain. I can't get over this...just saying that brings tears to my eyes.

We serve a God who is faithful and just! A God who asks so much but requires nothing of us. A God who loves and cares and forgives. We call him by His many names...Creator, Savior, Alpha, King, Yahweh, Lord, El Shaddai, Shepherd, Father, Emanuel, I Am, Adonai. 

If you haven't read the entire chapter in Hebrews then you definitely should! Next time you get worried or anxious, I challenge you to look at this passage and depend on God to be your stronghold.