Are you good at parallel parking? I mean the old-fashioned way without a self-parking car or backup camera. Before getting a backup camera, parallel parking was challenging for me. Some people, like my husband, easily slipped into the parking space successfully ending up 3” from the curb on the first try.
Me? I would circle the block looking for a double space so I could drive right in. However, when all I found were tiny spaces, anxiety would creep in as I thought about the challenge to park in one. Ultimately, since I had no other choice, I bravely made the attempt.
With trepidation, (and lots of prayer), carefully lining up my car, I would painstakingly maneuver moving backwards and forwards over and over again until, Voila! I succeeded in parking only two feet from the curb!!
AREN’T ISSUES IN OUR LIVES OFTEN LIKE PARALLEL PARKING?
They are easy or challenging.
CHALLENGING!
Why does the challenge of parallel parking make us anxious? Personally, I think it’s the other cars. Blocking traffic while trying to park, I anxiously wonder if someone passing by will hit me. Then there are the cars in front of and behind my parking space. Can I really park my car without hitting one of them?
Every time parallel parking is necessary, memories of either rolling up on the curb or parking 2 feet from it cause me to be anxious.
When issues become as challenging as parallel parking, we painstakingly maneuver through anxiously wondering about the results. Looking back, we are hit with memories of past mistakes, guilt or grief. Looking forward we hit fears of the future. We never make much progress or totally succeed in letting go of the anxiety.
Jesus wants to help us maneuver through issues
without painfully remembering the past
or fearing the future.
Because He loves us so much, He wants to heal our hearts,
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds,
Psalm 147:3
Isn’t it amazing how some people can ease into any tiny parallel parking space with or without a backup camera? Quick as a wink they maneuver the car with no anxiety.
Others have the benefit of a self -parking car. By pushing a button, the car navigates into the parking space. The first time they initiate the self- driving function; they are probably a little anxious. After all, they want to ensure it works.
However, with frequent use, their faith increases. Eventually, when they act in faith to push the button, they are able to relax and allow the car to take control of the wheel.
Calling upon Jesus
to help us navigate through issues
is our act of faith.
The first time we call on Jesus, our anxiety may be stronger than our faith. After all, we want to know if He will answer. Then like faith in the self- driving function increases with frequent use, so too does our faith in Jesus.
The more we call on Jesus, the stronger our faith grows diminishing our anxiety. Eventually as we see Him work, we allow Jesus to take the wheel.
This is the confidence we have in approaching God:
that if we ask anything according to His will,
He hears us.
And if we know that He hears us—
whatever we ask—
we know that we have what we asked of Him,
1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Through our faith in Jesus, anxiety over the past, present and future doesn’t need to be part of our thoughts. He can set us free.
So, if the Son, (Jesus), sets you free,
you will be free indeed,
John 8:36
TRADE IN – IT’S FREE!
When those anxious thoughts arise, we can trade them in. It’s like trading in our old model car to get a backup camera or self-parking mode, but it’s free! Rather than a car, we trade in our old painful memories and fear of the future for the freedom, peace and healing Jesus gives.
Peace, I leave with you, My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid,
John 14:27
Walking, (or parking), in faith means letting go of the past and trusting God with the future. So, when those old memories and fears creep in, trade them in for God’s power, love and sound judgement.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind,
2 Timothy 1:7
REFLECTION
Do you have painful memories and anxieties that make issues challenging?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write 2 Timothy 1:7 and say it aloud, when issues are challenging help me to trade my painful memories and anxiety for your power, love and sound mind. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH, LET JESUS TAKE THE WHEEL
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
Photo Rock Climbing, Wallace 769
Photo Self Driving Car, Roberto Nickson
