Give it All to God

Mentally drained.

Physically drained.

Spiritually renewed.

Once again, we chaperoned camp for our church’s youth. Once again, God grasped my attention. Camp isn’t only a “vacuum” for students. It takes adults out of their normal rhythms, too.

Here are some truths I (re)learned:

1. In our daily lives, we minimize our struggles for the sake of propriety and social norms. God already knows my pain. So instead of downplaying my experience: truly CRY out to God. Stop being subtle. God can handle the full range of my emotions. He designed them.

2. We will do almost anything to be seen. But God says, “I know you.” Again, God designed you. You need only to seek God to be fully seen. And as we behold our God, we become like Him. Truly, what you behold will shape what you become.

3. Hidden things don’t just fall out on their own. They need to be dealt with, repented of, so that we can experience freedom from them. On the flip side of that, if you don’t confess it, it doesn’t stay the same. It grows and takes root, becoming a ruler over us. 

5. In Luke 22, Jesus says I don’t want to do this. By praying it, He gives it to God. Jesus gives God His actual, true feelings. This gives us the perfect example: when we are honest with God, He is kind and He hears us. However, when you avoid your feelings, you allow them to take over. Jesus found the strength to obey His death on the cross because He gave God all of His emotions and thoughts. Jesus did not hide how He felt to God. And God gave Jesus the ability to withstand a most painful, excruciating death. Because Jesus knew…God knew we need a Savior.

Can you tell we learned about confession? Repentance? Obedience? Trust? Prayer? I laugh writing this, because I didnt realize how tightly woven each day’s study was until now.

I’m sure to keep seeing and experiencing the truths God planted in me now that I’m home. I’ll commit to keep breaking these down in my journal. To keep studying and seeking the Lord. Perhaps I’ll share more with you.

Can you do something for me?

Friend, trust God with your emotions. The full gamut. Even your anger, fear, distrust, disgust, heartache, bitterness or anxiety towards Him. God knows you. He longs to help you through. He is ready to replace your perceptions and pain with truth and peace.

I’ll leave you with this question:

Do I trust God enough to handle the full force of my emotions?

Until next time,

Leah

Post and pictures by Leah Honnen. 
Leah Honnen is a wife, momma, and infertility warrior living in Jacksonville, IL. She is a homemaker and volunteers at her church, but loves spending time fixing up her pre-1920s home with her husband, John. Leah writes on the lessons she continues to learn in daily life – through infertility, motherhood, music, friendships, and more on Instagram @leahhonnen. 
You can find more of Leah's posts here.