CONTENT OR COMPLACENT??

It is never God’s intention for us to go through life on our own. He delights in seeing His children plug into a community and I hope and pray that in one way or another, you feel you are part of one here at Christ My Anchor. Every person that gets to read or feed from us is a prayer answered and in thanksgiving, we extend our hands to the Father that your life (as our reader) will be blessed and He may deal with you faithfully in all your endeavours.

But the truth of the matter is, much as we intercede for each other, we still have to individually walk ourselves to the altar and lay our burdens ourselves with specificity and 1 Peter 5:7 is always such an encouragement “Pour out your worries and leave them there, for He always tenderly cares for you.”TPT . (If I were a preacher, I would probably ask you to underline leave them there; you still can.)

The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:1-18 is one of the most relatable stories. In this story, I see a woman who has been frustrated, cast down and the external pressures are slowly weighing in on her because she is childless. As if it weren’t bad enough, she is severely provoked by her co-wife (Peninnah) and she seems to be drowning in sorrow to the point she doesn’t eat. Have you experienced feelings of anguish lately? Have you felt like your soul was growing weary because of one thing you have consistently sought but seems unattainable?  If we are honest, we sometimes feel like Hannah. Thankful, content  and yet still willing to go bare before God with the bitterness that arises in our souls when we want something so bad. 

There is a thin line between contentment and complacency. We always think that the predisposition of God is NO and as a result we are afraid to ask ; whereas in Philippians 4:6 we are urged not to be anxious about anything but by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make our requests known. 

Leonard RavenHill, in his book Why Revival Tarries, wrote  that many Christians run the risk of not accomplishing and experiencing abundance in their lives while doing great exploits for God because they use “God’s will” as an excuse not to seek and press on more. Being stuck at “God’s will” can be a trap for complacency. However, it is by no means a disregard for His sovereignty.

“Bold prayers honor God and God honors bold prayers.” Mark Batterson.

Many men in scripture prayed “unrealistic prayers”, : for the sun to stand still Joshua 10 and Elijah with the rain? 1 Kings 18. Seems reasonable  to let the weather run its course right? But prayer is partnering with God for His glory.

We have all  felt like Hannah at some point in our lives. Just a while back, I felt like things were not working out in a business project I was going after. I felt like I should have  pursued more and yet at the same time I felt like I was “asking too much”. Therein lies our problem as human beings, always asking and then turning back to write out our own answers and resorting to complacency while the need still lingers on our mind and then we even end up resorting to men. But Hannah knew who was in control and she went to God just as we are read in Psalms 121:1-2 “I will lift up my eyes to the hills, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” 

THE SHIFT.

My favorite part of the story is highlighted in verse 18 …she went her way no longer sad, her face radiant ; which is sometimes the opposite of what I do; I take my burdens to God and hours later, I find myself  still trying to figure out how to handle it myself . Can anyone relate? We carry the burdens to the cross and then carry it back again. Were we just asking Jesus to peek? 

I think Hannah got the revelation and knew that it was all up to God and she had already cast her cares and she left unburdened. Case closed. 

Like Hannah, I am adopting a posture in prayer that whenever I submit to God and lay my burdens, I will leave unburdened and trust Him with a huge smile planted on my face. He does a better job at sorting problems than we ever could right? 

Be encouraged friends! 

As you take your cares to God and lay it at His feet, know your job is done until an instruction from Him arises. May God fill you with joy unspeakable, full of glory that you praise your way through as you await the  manifestation of your hearts desire and like Eli uttered to Hannah, I declare that May the Lord God of Israel grant your petition in which you have asked of Him.

A few songs that can minister to you include

Patrick Nakaya’s song I cast my cares

Patrick Kubuya– Moyo Wangu

Stay anchored. Keep shining His light through!