“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above–spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” Ephesians 2:10 AMP

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I find myself often caught up in the habit of making my life more complicated than it needs to be. It is so easy to overestimate my role in the outcome of just about any situation in my life. However, that overestimation is often my downfall. My directive is simple: follow the Lord. So, why am I constantly trying to find all of the answers for myself?? I believe that is one of the most effective traps laid out for me by the enemy. My mind is frequently drawn back to one of the most common motto’s I encountered in the military – K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid). It sounds harsh, but the concept is incredibly valid.

When I find myself overwhelmed with a sense of responsibility to find all the answers and solve all the problems, I begin to use one of my favorite passages of scripture as a mantra, saying it out loud in prayer to God so that the words are coming from my heart and my soul, and not just memorized words being recited without purpose. I take a deep breath and say, “Father, I trust and rely on you with all my heart, and I will not rely on my own understanding. In all my ways I will acknowledge You, and I know YOU will direct my path.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

I will repeat those words over and over, and as I do, I slowly start to feel the pressure lifting from my shoulders, followed by that peace only He can bring…that peace which transcends all understanding. God has things for each of us to do in our lives. He has important works designed for us alone to accomplish. This is not meant to add a feeling of burden or stress to our lives. What the scripture above in Ephesians is saying is that we are each a masterpiece in our own right. Whatever we are meant to do on behalf of the Father, we have literally been created to do. It will all come naturally to us, which is why it is so important that we don’t make life more complicated by trying to come up with all the answers on our own.

I have felt the power of prayer time and time again over the course of my lifetime, but especially in the last two years. There have been times when I’ve been in the midst of significant struggle, when a sudden calm has settled over me like a warm blanket across my shoulders. It would turn out that someone close to me was praying on my behalf from wherever they were and I was reaping the benefits of that prayer wherever I was. Spending time in prayer and with the Word of God are the greatest weapons we have against the incessant attacks on our hearts, minds, and spirits.

My husband and I were talking about stress and how important it is for people to learn to tolerate the various kinds of stress we face in this life. Between the two of us, we weren’t able to come up with one single person either of us knows who is not under stress of one kind of another. If you think you’re the only one suffering from the stresses and strains of life, take heart in knowing you absolutely are NOT alone in your battles. However, you can choose to try and walk through that stress on your own, ignoring the extended hand of the Lord in whatever way He is offering it to you.

He helps us through the love and support of other people in our lives, through our connection to our pets, through time spent breathing fresh air in the sunshine, and a million other ways He knows will be most effective in giving us what we need to get through whatever it is we are facing at the time. When we take time to communicate with Him through prayer, making sure to keep our prayers simple, as opposed to working hard to make them sound impressive (which leaves the potential of our messages getting lost in the sauce), He is invited in and made welcome. It is how we are able to let Him know we are open and ready for Him to effect change in our lives.

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God–it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” James 5:16 AMP