How to Cling to the Lord When You’d Rather Cling to Control
Recently, I sat with a friend in the sunshine as we caught up on life. We talked about our dreams, our families, and our desires to control our circumstances. We agreed that we wanted to cling to the Lord instead of clinging to control; however, walking it out is never easy.
I wonder if you can relate.
Maybe you long for a close and thriving relationship with God, but you tend to get caught up in the troubles and worries in life. Perhaps you start your days with a few quiet moments spent seeking God in prayer; however, by lunchtime, you’ve hardly glanced in his direction for hours.
You want to learn to cling to the Lord and turn to him when life goes off the rails, but you tend to grasp for a sense of control before you even think about turning to God for help.
Me too, friend. Me too.
Learning to Cling to the Lord
I want to learn to cling to the Lord, but I often hold onto control with such a strong grip that my focus is far from God.
In reality, I often cling to things like five-year plans and weekly agendas.
I cling to my own strength instead of showing up in my weakness and letting God reveal his power.
Practically speaking, what does it look like to cling to the Lord?
I’ve been mulling this over, and here is what I’m learning:
I cling to the Lord when I release my plans into his hands.
I cling to him when I trust him with my children and most precious loved ones.
When I carve out time to seek his face and read his written Word, I cling to him.
I also cling to him when I offer grace instead of criticism. Instead of pointing an accusatory finger, I smile gently.
Lastly, I cling to the Lord when I turn to him first in my worried, stressed, and anxious moments. I trust that he will work all things for my good, in his perfect timing, especially when circumstances don’t make sense.
What the Bible Says About How to Cling to the Lord:
Scripture makes some interesting points about how to cling to God. Let’s look at five practical ways to cling to him.
1. Cling to the Lord by serving him.
When I think of clinging to God, I think of finding refuge in him in hard times.
The words of Deuteronomy 10:20 challenge me. These words teach us that service is part of clinging to him.
They remind me to stay close to God by loving the people he created: “You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name” (Deuteronomy 10:20).
2. Cling to him by staying close to him when life is hard.
Some of us take offense when God permits trials in our lives. (If you can relate, you’re in good company; join me here.)
Is your life difficult in some area right now?
Are you turning toward God or turning away from him as you navigate the struggle?
Pray for God to help you keep a soft heart. Stand firm against offense and continue to cling to the Lord. James 4:8 reminds us that when we draw near to God, he draws near to us.
3. Cling to the Lord by obeying him.
We cannot cling to God when we’re living in direct disobedience. Is there an area of your life in which you know God wants you to make changes? Don’t delay obedience for one more day. Blessing follows obedience.
We find this reminder in Deuteronomy 11:22-23.
This passage reads: “For if you are careful to keep all this commandment which I am commanding you to do, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and hold fast to Him, then the Lord will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess nations greater and mightier than you.”
4. Keep following hard after him.
King Hezekiah also shows us how to cling to God.
Hezekiah did not turn from God. He followed him, and God blessed him and gave him success. 2 Kings 18:6 reads, “For he clung to the LORD; he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses.”
Let’s see what happened in Hezekiah’s life as a result of his obedience. Verse 7 reads: “And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook.”
Keep following hard after God by seeking his face every day. Spend time reading his Word, talking to him, and soaking in his love. Spend time with other believers and aim to continue growing in your faith. These disciplines will help you stay in tune with his presence.
5. Cling to the Lord as you trust him to uphold you with his right hand.
God’s right hand refers to his power to move and act in this world and in the spiritual realm. Notice what happens when our souls cling to God in Psalm 63:8: “My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.”
Direct your thoughts, your will, and your emotions toward God. He will uphold you with his powerful right hand.
How do we cling to God with our souls?
The soul is comprised of the mind, will, and emotions. Cling to the Lord with your mind by reading Scripture, studying it, and memorizing it. Memorizing a verse every week can help you keep God’s Word on your mind.
Cling to the Lord with your will by committing to walking with him and obeying him. When you sense him leading you, follow his lead and aim to obey his guidance.
Furthermore, cling to the Lord with your emotions by bringing your emotions to him. Begin each day by thanking him for his goodness. Before your feet hit the floor, thank him for at least one blessing in your life.
When negative emotions arise throughout the day, tell God how you’re feeling, ask him to help you process your emotions in his presence, and then commit to standing on his Word instead of standing on your feelings.
Direct your thoughts, your will, and your emotions toward God. He will uphold you with his powerful right hand. #upheld #Godspower #trustingGod Click To Tweet~~~
My friend leaves me sitting in the sunshine with the daffodils. I open my clenched fists, surrender my cares to the Lord, and ask him to help these hands cling to him instead.
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