A lot of times we are distressed and depressed because we’re trying to do God’s job. We need to remember that the battle is not ours, but the Lord’s. Years ago, I was constantly annoyed because I didn’t like how people were treating me and I wanted to get back at them. Apart from not walking in the self-confidence God gave me and using the brain he blessed me with, I wasn’t realizing that I didn’t need to try to get back at anyone – that was His job. My job was to trust, love and seek Him first. When I released control to God, I noticed that in every situation, the offender was taken care of – without my input.

We are also distressed and depressed because we are expecting God to do our job. We need to walk in faith because without faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6). He would not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). Believe in yourself. Act with courage and boldness because He has not given us a spirit of fear.

In Numbers 20, the story is told of how Moses and Aaron who were God’s servants, dealt with the frustration of hearing the people complain about their situation. They were saying that they should have died like their brothers before them (verse 3). Also, God’s servants brought them from Egypt, where things were better, into the wilderness, a miserable place, to die because there was no food or water (verses 4 and 5).

Moses and Aaron left the people, went to a separate tent, and fell on their faces to God in desperate prayer. God answered telling them to take the staff, gather the people and speak to the rock in front of them; this will cause water to flow (verse 8). However, in anger Moses hit the rock twice. Water still flowed from it abundantly. But because Moses did not trust God’s method and treat Him as holy in front of the people, he did not get to lead them into the fertile land that God promised (verse 12).

You may be going about life according to your truth or without God’s direction and may think you are getting by. But just imagine how much further you can be if you chose to do things His way.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

(NASB, Proverbs 3:5-6)