Step two on the yellow brick road

In a previous post (Identify Your Thief) I wrote that step one to a more peaceful life is to step out of denial and admit to yourself, to God and to another human being what your weaknesses are.

Step two to a healthier life is accepting that there is very little that you have control over and that it is only through dependency on God that you can live a righteous and pure life.

Step two is admitting your powerlessness.

Too often we think we can manage difficult relationships, stressful situations, our bad habits, and/or our heartaches on our own.

This, however, is a lie.

Trying to manage our own lives in our own strength just leave us frustrated, angry and hopeless.

Everything that the world teaches us about  “power” and “weakness” God has the opposite  to say about it from His Word.

For example the world will tell you that power comes from relying on yourself, doing things your way and/or being independent.

In God’s kingdom, however, power is defined through relying on God and doing things His way (Ephesians 1:19).

The world will tell you that weakness is when you are dependent and don’t have control.

In God’s kingdom, however, strength is defined through your willingness to  surrender to God and to fully rely on His strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-9).        

We need to surrender the deceptions the world has fed us and take a hold of God’s promises instead.        

The truth is that we cannot live life in our own strength.

We need  to let go of self-sufficiency and surrender to the One that has control- God Almighty.

Since we are all born sinners, we cannot live purely and make right choices in our own ability. In Romans 7:18 it says “And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.”  

The first thing you have to do is to be able to know what your weaknesses are (step one).

The next thing you have to do is to be willing to completely surrender to God and to fully rely on Him.

Here are some questions that can help you figure out where you are in regards to admitting  your powerlessness.

(adapted from “Stepping out of Denial into God’s Grace” by John Baker).

1. Do you have a hard time asking for help from others?
2. Do you live in the past, in the “if only’s”?
3. Do you live in the future, in the “if only’s?”
4. Do you worry?
5. Are you holding on to anger, resentment, un-forgiveness?
6. Are you lonely? Do you believe that living isolated is a choice?
7. How is your joy?

Thinking about the answer’s to these questions will help you to recognize whether or not  you have been relying on yourself to get through life.

You can’t get through life in your own strength.

You will always fail if you try to .

Let God be God in your life.

Admit your pain.

Admit that you are powerless and that you cannot, on your own, change your hurts and habits.

Admit that you need a Savior. You need Jesus Christ to help you.

Our life here on earth is but a passage of time. We are very much like Dorothy on the yellow brick road in the movie “The Wizard of Oz.”  Like Dorothy we are on a journey to discovering our way home, our home that is in eternity.

God has given us all we need to live the abundant and full life while we are away from our heavenly home.

He has given us Himself.

I pray you will allow Jesus to come into your heart and to lead you down His “yellow brick road”- His truth.

Once you admit that you are powerless over most of your life you will find lasting peace.

I’d love to hear from you. Leave me a comment below on which area you struggle with in regards to admitting your powerlessness?

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”                   ~ Matthew 5:3

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