Lay it Down

Sometimes life can get so tough as to be unbearable. As a Christian, I know that God will never put on me more than I can handle and promises He will never leave me nor forsake me.

But one thing I have to remember – sometimes He allows trials into our lives in order to help us to grow spiritually, and to become more dependent on Him and less dependent on ourselves.

I’m a do-it-yourself kind of gal. Always have been. Control is not something I give up easily or willingly. And yet…God knows that is an area of my life I need to work on. So He’s been allowing things to pile up on me for a while…waiting…patiently waiting…knowing I’m struggling to keep things going on my own…until…finally…I realize I’m in over my head. I have to admit it. I can’t do it alone. I’m messing things up. I’m overwhelmed.

Finally, just before the collapse, I come to Him. And I lay my troubles before Him and ask Him to take over.

And He always does. Just as He promised – He hasn’t left me. He’s been right here.

I found a song recently that I plan on singing in a service soon with my friend Debra. It’s a beautiful song sung by Jaci Velasquez. I’m alto and Debra is soprano, so it’ll be a great song for us to do together. If you get a chance to listen to it, be sure to do so. Here are the words:

I’ve been lookin’ til my eyes are tired of lookin’
Listenin’ til my ears are numb from listenin’
Prayin’ til my knees are sore from kneelin’ on the bedroom floor
I know that You know that my heart is achin’
I’m running out of tears and my will is breakin’
I don’t think that I can carry the burden of it anymore
All of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are slowly slippin’ through my folded hands

So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
What else can I do?
Everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
I know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be. I’m gonna let it go
I’m gonna lay it down.

I’ve been walkin’ through this world like I’m barely livin’
Buried in the doubt of this hole I’ve been digging
But You’re pullin’ me out
And I’m finally breathin’ in the open air
This room may be dark but I’m finally seein’
There’s a new ray of hope, and now I’m believin’
That the past is past, and the future’s beginning to look brighter now
Oh’ cause all of my hopes and my dreams and my best laid plans
Are safe and secure when I place them in Your hands

So I’m gonna lay it down
I’m gonna learn to trust You now
Ooh what more can I do
‘Cause everything I am depends on You
And if the sun don’t come back up
You know Your love will be enough
I’m gonna let it be. I’m gonna let it go
I’m gonna lay it down.
I’m gonna lay it down.
I’m gonna lay it down.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7