Is God Enough For You?

"Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" (Luke 10:40b)

Have you been diagnosed with what some call the “Martha Syndrome?” Forgetting just how big our God is, as you run around trying to make everything and everyone, including yourself, perfect?

When our needs are ignored, or when we, like Martha, are stuck doing the chores of life and others (perhaps an ex-spouse) are having fun, we begin to wonder if God is enough. Doubting God’s love can gradually take over our thoughts and before we know it, a disbelief in God’s goodness and abundance creeps in and takes up residence in our minds.

Is it our culture that drives us-even those who know Christ-toward a less than abundant life? 

From the beginning of time, when Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden, Eve began questioning God’s goodness.  She allowed Satan to convince her that she and her husband could have a more abundant life apart from her Creator; that God’s plan for her wasn’t enough.

And although we intellectually know that fulfillment is not found in other people –a new boy/girlfriend or new spouse; or things like a new piece of furniture (remember all my new couches?) adopting a false moral compass may still impact us more than we realize or care to admit.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I’ve been suffering from vertigo. You also know that I’ve been concerned for family members and girlfriends experiencing some tough personal trials. Our middle daughter once used the phrase ‘reframe’ when discussing the need to stop and reevaluate a situation, so I am ‘reframing’ on why God should be enough for me and my loved ones. 

I really don’t have time to assume a ‘Martha syndrome’ besides, I’d rather let God do the worrying and fixing. But do I really think He’s capable of handling this job or is it more that I’m not sure He’s capable of handling the job my way?

First stop in reframing was downloading instructions to learn the Ujayii breathing technique.  With my yoga mat in place, body in position, I began listening to a soft female voice directing me how to experience peace while controlling my breathing.  I lay quietly pondering God’s goodness when I realized the soft female voice had stopped. As I waited for her voice, I could feel my impatience and stress creeping back into my consciousness. Where did she go? Expecting more instruction, I got up to look at my computer screen and found that the instruction technique had finished.

Staring at the screen, I started to laugh at myself. I couldn’t figure out what was worse—the thought of how embarrassing my lame attempts were or the disappointment I felt in myself for letting the allure of something else replace my desire for God to be my all.

None of us like to be tested. And when the test goes on for months and sometimes years, we wonder if God really is enough for us.  We desire a relationship with Him but it never seems to be enough.  Augustine wrote, “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee.”

Ok, so the breathing technique wasn’t really what I needed, but I’m sure it will come in handy somewhere down the road, So my second stop in ‘reframing’ was reaching for my Bible.  Before opening it, I mentally reviewed the things I already knew. Lord, I know You are going to tell me that life is difficult and hardships are common; that You are here to help us get through hard times and that Jesus has overcome the world for us.  I trust in its’ authentication so why the hesitation? Why do I feel guilty in questioning His abundance?

God has shown Himself mightily on my behalf, yet I still struggle with walking by faith in Him alone to solve my vertigo or mend broken hearts or help someone get out of an unhealthy relationship. If I really believed what I say I believe then my struggles would be with following my perception of what is true; rather I would know it to be true by my faith.

Faith is having complete trust or confidence in someone or something. It takes time to develop complete trust in someone or something. Don’t we tell our children not to talk to strangers? So is the reason we struggle with faith in God because we don’t truly know the God in whom we profess to have faith?

Building a relationship takes time. Until we see people handle various situations, we are hesitant to believe what they say. If God is a stranger to us, we are less likely to believe what He has said in His Word. The only cure for this is to spend more time in God’s Word getting to know Him.

When I read the accounts of the Israelites in the Old Testament and the great miracles God did in rescuing His chosen people from slavery in Egypt, I become annoyed at their lack of faith.  How can they be so blind? But then I realize that I am no different. They were no longer walking by faith, but by sight. Despite everything they saw God do, they lost faith and began to lean on their perception of truth.

As Joshua lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God reminded them not to forget. “Don't get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you're going. And don't for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you'll get where you're going; then you'll succeed.  Haven't I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don't be timid; don't get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” (Joshua 1:7b-9)

God knows that our flesh is weak. I love the Message version of Mark 14:38.  “Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it. Don't be naive. Part of you is eager, ready for anything in God; but another part is as lazy as an old dog sleeping by the fire.”

Let’s pray.

Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord.
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you
I want to see you

To see you high and lifted up
Shining in the light of your glory
Pour out your power and love
As we sing
Holy, Holy, Holy

(Song by Michael W. Smith)

Until next time~

Blessings, Nancy

Which reflects you?

Martha Syndrome:
Fret & Worry
Complain
Focus on feelings
Anxious
Unbelief

Mary Solution:
Quiet
Peaceful
Prayerful
At Jesus’ feet
Faith