Toy Stories: Barbie — Humble vs. Powerful - Friday
Today’s Verse
1 Samuel 2:2
There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. (ESV)
This week, we’ve started our deep dive into God’s design for women, with a specific look into humility.
Like many women, I’ve battled anxiety for a large portion of my life. I didn’t always know to call it by its name, but being able to call it out has made a drastic impact on my ability and willingness to hand it over to Jesus.
You know what else has made a difference? Learning its opposite (and therefore its root).
I remember one day sitting in a bible study and coming across a list of opposites, and on that list was anxiety. In that season, I sparred with anxiety on nearly an hourly basis. My heart rate practically lived at 110, and it wasn’t because I was on my feet all day.
When I saw anxiety on the list, I was desperate to know the opposite. Peace, right? I just need to pray for peace?
But a different five-letter word stared back at me.
Trust.
I actually felt a little offended. I mean, hadn’t I given my life over to Christ? Hadn’t I trusted in Him?
Yes, and no. Yes, I’d handed my life over to Christ. Yes, I’d trusted in Him in a general sense. But on a micro level? I still tried to hold on to too many things that weren’t mine to handle. At its core, I’d tried to hold on to control over my life.
It felt comfortable to “know” the narrative of my life. And until I graduated college, every subsequent year of my life had stared at me with expectation, the next school year. After that? It felt like the direction of my life was all up to me, but that’s a lie.
On Sunday, Scott said, “Your Father God created you in His likeness, bearing His very image to be like Him… but not to be Him. You are not God, and that’s good… in Him and through Him, you are enough to be His adopted daughter, His beloved child, and that is all you need to be… Because God is our Rock, you don’t have to be anyone’s rock. You are free to be His daughter.”
How do anxiety and humility butt heads? Anxiety says I don’t trust that the Lord has it under control; I must exercise power and take control. Humility says that kind of control is an illusion. I have to set aside my own pride and trust in the God Who is in control by putting it in His hands (1 Peter 5:6-7).
Women, you don’t have to be enough because Jesus is enough. You are free to be His adopted daughter.
APPLICATION
What do you need to hand over to God? What have you been trying to control under your own power? What have you been trying to do on your own?
As we go into the weekend, write down 1 Samuel 2:2 somewhere you’ll see frequently. When you feel anxious or think of something you’re tempted to take control of, read through the verse and take a moment to pray.
PRAYER
Lord, as I face the day ahead, humble me and help me to exercise humility that I might learn to rest in You. There is no Rock like You, Lord. Thank You for calling me Yours. Amen.
