Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. (Isa. 26:12)
There it was—my name printed in the Wall Street Journal. I’d been dreaming about a byline like this for years, but the moment I held the physical copy of the newspaper in hand, I knew I couldn’t take credit for it. Effort, prayer, and many revisions had gone into getting this piece ready. In the end, I was able to share the hope of God with the readers of a secular newspaper. It was thrilling but humbling as I recalled Isaiah’s words.
It’s easy to become arrogant when we obtain earthly success. It’s just as easy to then believe every outcome depends exclusively on our human efforts. Remembering that God accomplishes his purposes through us helps create a healthier perspective through which to view every end result.
If God “establish[es] peace for us,” then we’ll go crazy attempting to find it on our own. When we rely only on ourselves, finding peace of mind amid endless to-do lists and stress-induced anxiety is impossible. But if God ultimately guides our accomplishments, we can rest in the peace that is found in his hand.
Knowing that, you can continue pursuing big goals without the pressure that it’s all on you. After all, God puts those desires in your heart in the first place. When the pressure’s off, you are free to go after it with genuine gusto.
Identify an accomplishment and give God the proper credit.
Ericka Andersen is a member of Waterline Church in Fishers, Indiana. She’s a wife and mom to two and enjoys writing, running, and podcasting.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
