How to Cling to the Lord When You’d Rather Cling to Control

It’s difficult to know what to expect from tomorrow, let alone next week or next month, and who can really make plans in times like these?

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The daffodils huddle in the corner of the yard like schoolgirls telling secrets.  I sit with a friend in the sunshine, and we admire the flowers as we talk about our lives.  Our conversation leads us to realize how much we both try to keep a sense of control over certain areas of our lives.  We are women who tend to find security from clinging to our plans.  As our world walks through these unique times, we are both being challenged to cling to the Lord instead.

I wonder if you can relate.

It’s difficult to know what to expect from tomorrow, let alone next week or next month, and who can really make plans in times like these?

I’ve been etching plans on the calendar in pencil this year.

And adding question marks.

I suppose it’s my gentle way of reminding myself of this: My times really aren’t in my hands.  And maybe I should have started writing in pencil years ago.

 

The Truth About Learning to Cling to the Lord

I’ve claimed to be a woman who clings to the Lord, but it would be more accurate to say I’m a woman who wants to cling to God.  I want to hold fast to the One who promises to never let me go.

In reality, I often cling to things like five-year plans and weekly agendas.

I cling to my ideas of what my life should look like.

I cling to my own strength instead of showing up in weakness and letting God make his power perfect.

How do we really cling to the Lord?  I’m learning a few lessons, and this is what it looks like in my little corner of the world where the daffodils invite me to lean into what is true:

I cling to the Lord when I release my plans into his hands.

I cling to him when I trust him with my children.

Every time I carve out time to seek his face, I cling to the Lord.

I cling to him when I bite my tongue instead of proving I’m right.

I offer grace instead of criticism.

Instead of pointing an accusatory finger, I smile gently.

I cling to the Lord when I exchange my worries for faith.  I trust he really will work all things for my good – in his perfect timing.  Especially when circumstances don’t make sense.

 

What the Bible Says About How to Cling to the Lord:

Scripture makes some interesting points about how to cling to God.  Here are five powerful Bible verses about how to cling to him:

 

1. You Cling to the Lord When You Serve Him

When I think of clinging to God, I think of finding refuge in him in hard times.  The words of Deuteronomy 10:20 challenge me.  These words tell me service is part of clinging to him.  They remind me to stay close to God by loving the people he created: “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name” (Deuteronomy 10:20).

 

2. Cling to Him by Staying Close to Him When Life Gets Hard

I’ve been tempted to turn a cold shoulder toward God when life suddenly fell apart.  Some of us take offense when God permits trials in our lives.

Is your life difficult in some areas right now?

Are you turning toward God or turning away from him as you navigate the struggle?

Pray for God to help you keep a soft heart.  Stand firm against offense and continue to cling to the Lord.  Joshua 23:8 reminds us not to let go, no matter what: “But you are to cling to the LORD your God, as you have done to this day.”

 

3. Cling to the Lord by Doing Everything He Asks You to Do

We cannot cling to God when we’re living in direct disobedience.  Is there an area of your life where you know God wants you to make changes?  Don’t delay obedience for one more day.  Blessing follows obedience.

We find this truth in Deuteronomy 11:22-23.  This passage reads: “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.”

 

4. Don’t Depart from Following Him

King Hezekiah of Judah shows us how to cling to God.  Hezekiah did not turn from God.  He followed him, and God blessed him and gave him success.  2 Kings 18:6 reads, “For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.”

Let’s see what happened in Hezekiah’s life as a result of his obedience.  Verse 7 reads: “And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.”

 

5. Cling to the Lord as You Trust His Right Hand to Uphold You

God’s right hand refers to his power to move and act in this world and in heavenly places.  Notice what happens when our souls cling to God in Psalm 63:8: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”

Direct your thoughts, your will, and your emotions toward God.  He will uphold you with his powerful right hand.

Direct your thoughts, your will, and your emotions toward God. He will uphold you with his powerful right hand. 

 

My friend leaves me sitting in the sunshine with the daffodils.  I open my clenched fists, surrender my cares to the Lord, and ask him to help these hands cling to him instead.

 

 

 

This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Stacey Pardoe

Featured Image by Couleur from Pixabay

 

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About the Author

Stacey Pardoe is a Kingdom Winds Contributor. Stacey's hope is that her words will inspire you to seek God in the midst of your ordinary moments and encounter his love in deeper ways.