Max Lucado is one of my all-time favourite writers. While this book may not fully capture the depth of his work, for someone like me who is very visual, he’s the perfect author. I’ve even considered turning one of his books into a film in the past because of how vivid and impactful his writing is (I used to make films). There’s no doubt he has a true gift for creative writing. I’m also looking forward to the day when I can write a blog post about one of my favourite books of his!
That being said, let’s dive right in. As I mentioned, this book doesn’t entirely do him justice, but it’s still worth reading. It offers great encouragement and provides actionable steps to overcoming anxiety. I’d rate it 3 out of 5 stars.
In this post, I’ll be exploring 4 key aspects of my spiritual journey. First, I’ll reflect on free will and the gift that God has given us to make choices, shaping our relationship with Him. I’ll also discuss the importance of casting all anxieties on God, surrendering our worries to Him for peace and healing. Next, I’ll touch on the danger of striving for efficiency in our walk with God, and how focusing on quick results can hinder genuine connection with God. Finally, I’ll share my personal struggles with trusting God, reflecting on moments when I lacked faith and the lessons I’ve learned through those experiences.
As I started reading this book, it reminded me of God’s sovereignty which recounts His almighty presence and control of this universe, yet He loves us so much that He gives us free will to do whatever we want.
We’re all so uniquely made, when everyone is given free will, there is bound to be evil in this world.
Why didn’t He just make us perfect?(I think I would’ve done this given how frustrating humanity is.)
If we were all made perfect, there would be no free will. We’ll all be like robots. Imagine the person you truly love dictating every single move you make and how you should live your life. Is that truly love?
For example, let’s say a friend is constantly asking for your support with their business, school or university work, chores at home etc. But they then gaslight you by saying you’re not fulfilling the role of a friend every time you say you are not available. Would you feel loved?
You’ll soon realise the friend who has been dictating your life is progressing in all arenas, and you’re stuck behind doing the same old thing because you were too busy trying to fill the shoes of being a “good friend”. There are a few issues with this:
1. Firstly, the friend needs to realise every single person’s capacity and season looks very different from everyone else. They need to learn to respect your time and boundaries.Off topic - I’ve realised the world has been saying something across the lines of “friends need to invest time in each other to stay as friends”. You can disagree with me, but I was so brainwashed with this idea that when I started to spend less and less time with friends, I told myself I was a bad human. I’ve learnt this was absolutely B.S. I don’t have to meet my friends every week, month or year. This shouldn’t be the expectation. Despite how little time you spend with them, a true friend will trust you are trying to the best of your ability to make time for them whilst also managing other relationships and priorities in life. A true friend will be praying for you despite your absence. A true friend will be excited to see you hit every milestone rather than comparing their life with yours. A true friend will be available when you most need them, not when you want them. When you think about it that way, you start to realise your close friendship group becomes smaller and smaller as you age.
A great example of a true friend God has gifted me in this life is a man named Sam (I also mentioned him in my previous blog post). He’s one of my best friends, and a great mentor of mine. I don’t connect with him often, and there are times where we connect maybe only once a year. But I know he’s praying for me, I know he trusts me, I know he loves me, and I know he respects my boundaries. Most importantly, I know I can call him anytime when I truly need him, and he’ll be available.
2. Secondly, you need to set your boundaries with this friend. Ultimately, it is your responsibility for the direction you are heading. God has given you free will, not to be dictated by another being, but to make decisions for yourself.
3. Finally, dictatorship is not true love - especially in a friendship (or any relationship for that matter). It’s definitely not the love we learn from the Bible.
In saying that, if you have gone through some pain, I quote this from Lucado’s book but I say this with a genuine heart too:
“I’m sorry for the pain life has given you. I’m sorry if your parents neglected you. I’m sorry if your teacher ignored you. I’m sorry if a heartbreaker said ‘I do’ on your wedding day but ‘I don’t’ everyday afterwards. I’m sorry if you were inappropriately touched, intentionally mocked, or unfairly dismissed. I’m sorry if you ended up in Egypt.”
And most of all, I’m sorry if I have ever personally hurt you. If I have, please reach out, and I would love to talk about it. I definitely fall into the ‘Working in Progress’ bucket.
But I want to remind you, that you have a free choice:
“We can wear our hurt or wear our hope. We can outfit ourselves in our misfortune, or we can clothe ourselves in God's providence. We can cave into the pandemonium of life, or we can lean into the perfect plan of God. And we can believe the promise: ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28)”
God is the ultimate dead lifter (gym junkie joke), where He was able to take his own crucifixion and turn it into a celebration 3 days afterwards. If He can do that, is He not more than capable to rescue you from wherever you are or whatever you are going through?
Joseph is a great example of someone who went through all sorts of pain, but still came out victoriously because he cast all his anxiety on God.
So how do we lay down our anxieties before God? Lucado talks about the importance of having a specific prayer, and gives examples:
(If you want to know more about these steps, I would highly recommend reading Lucado’s book)
The little section about specific prayer might be obvious for some, but you must admit that we all fall into the trap of mediocrity when you’ve been a Christian for a long time. For example, we say the same prayer for each meal, word for word. Why? Because it’s efficient. But when efficiency takes place in your relationship with God, the genuineness dissipates. So for me, it was a great reminder of how specific prayer not only helps with my anxieties, but it also helps me, personally not fall into the life of complacency.
This also helped me with my marriage. A common discussion between my wife and I is that we not only need to communicate, but we need to communicate clearly (specifically). A common pattern we find in our arguments, the core of the issue is derived from a lack of clear communication. We both have good intentions, but if we’re both not clearly speaking to each other, it doesn’t get anywhere. And clear communication takes more than just words - it takes time, it takes effort to listen and energy to be specific and detailed in the communication.
I believe God is the same. God has feelings too. He wants us to commit to him, not just with our mouths, but with our time. Efficiency in our faith is NOT the answer.
Of course, I had my fair share of anxieties and high level of stress. Upon reflection, it really comes down to not having control over my own life. When I think I’m on top of everything, I’m the happiest person alive, but the moment life goes zigzagging I'm totally shook. Chapter 10 called “Cling to Christ”, was what really taught me about my anxieties and the lack of trust I had in God.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
I never thought much of this verse. I grew up hearing it, and I understood the concept of it (well I thought I did), which was I can do nothing without Christ (but I did, for most parts). After reading this chapter it made me reflect on all areas of my life and how I’ve been living it out. For example:
I was doing all things without Christ (which I was deceiving myself to believe I was relying on Christ), but I will continue to fall into uncertainty, anxiety and frustration. But what is John 15:5 actually saying?
We need to cling to Christ (by staying attached to the vine)!
Our goal was never to bear fruit. (get it? haha)
God is saying we just need to cling to him! That’s it. And God is the one who will make the fruits flourish.
How foolish I have been. No wonder I kept falling into self pity. Not only that, without clinging on to Christ, I just kept falling into the same sin over and over again.
I’ll conclude with this lasting thought:
“We can calmly take our concerns to God because He is as near as our next breath!”
- Max Lucado
Check out the book here: