Solely on God

How many times do you do things of your own might and say "God did it" when people congratulate you? You push God away because you think you can "handle it" or because the situation around you is favourable. 

Let me give you an example. In December 2011, I had an examination to write. I knew this when I purchased the course and tried to get myself prepared for it. I really tried, but it was quite difficult as there were so many distractions everywhere- weddings, parties, work, everything! So I didn’t really prepare like I wanted to. I made up my mind to defer the exam, but when I logged on to do it, I realized that the deadline for exam deferral had passed, so I was stuck- I had to write it.

I started reading in earnest and the more I read, the more desperate I became and my fear of failing knew no bounds. I was afraid because I didn’t want to fail. You see, I used to fail almost every exam before, well, not total failure, but the kind that they call “let-my-people-go”. I even used to be a “prayer project” whenever any exam was near, my mom and siblings would begin to intercede for success on my behalf. I was paying for the course myself, so I didn’t want to fail at all, and it seemed everyone but me had faith in my capacity to pass the exam.

After a while, I couldn’t cope with the demand I had placed on myself, I made up my mind to defer even though it would cost me to do so. My mom and sister were on my case, encouraging me to go ahead. My sister said something that made me stop to think. She said, you are relying on your own strength and not on God’s strength to see you through. I replied in the negative, so she said if it were true, I would say my prayers, study hard, write the exam and leave the rest for God. Now that struck me. Had I been saying God had seen me through all this while when I had conveniently studied hard and prepared for the exam? Did I trust God to grant me success when I was prepared? Did I trust Him when I wasn’t prepared? Proverbs 3:5 says “trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding…

I am happy to say that I wrote the exam, and although I didn’t feel like I would ace it, I left it in God’s hand and I know he will not let me down. I believe I have success already (The result is not yet out), but if it turns out that I failed the course, I will write it again believing that He will not leave me alone nor forsake me, especially when I need Him (Hebrews 13:5).

I learned one important lesson- to rely solely on God when things are good and bad. If I leave everything with Him, I will trust that He is big enough to take care of all issues in my life and that He will never let me go. Never!

I will always remember that I will go through the fire, waters and the flood (Isaiah 43:2) but, He will not let me go through it all alone! I will rely solely on God!