Have you ever felt restricted?

Have you ever felt restricted by your circumstances?  I know you have, and me too.  So, here’s some good news from God to us.

For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

I’ve been pondering the idea of feeling restricted – stuck even – in circumstances which seem to be diametrically opposed to the accomplishment of God’s mission for us on earth.  Certainly, Mary could have felt this way at times.  I sometimes look at what’s happening in my life and wonder how the losses could lead to victory.

And then I realize my focus is wrong.  Through scripture reading and prayer this week, Holy Spirit pierced my anxious and sometimes hopeless feelings with the light of God’s truth.  Jesus is our example, not Mary, for the way God fulfills His absolutely incredible plan of perfection through our restrictions and limitations of the flesh.

Suddenly it occurred to me – our uncontainable God, the Word Who spoke all the vastness of the universe into existence, purposefully restricted Himself inside Mary’s womb.  Today, I am freshly amazed that God’s plan was for Jesus to experience the fullness of our limitations in broken flesh. Yet, Jesus perfectly and fully accomplished the mission for which God sent His Son.  The really good news is that Jesus is able to help us through the stuck places and the temptation to doubt God’s good plan. (Hebrews 2:17-18, NLT)

Therefore, it was necessary for Him to be made in every respect like us, His brothers and sisters, so that He could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God.  Then He could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people.  Since He Himself has gone through suffering and testing, He is able to help us when we are being tested.  Hebrews 2:17-18, NLT

So, when the lies of the enemy whisper constant accusations against God’s faithfulness, run to Jesus.  When your own self-talk screams hopelessness and failure, run to Jesus.  Tell Him everything.  He understands.  He will help you.  And His mission for you will be accomplished just as He promised – even when it looks different than you imagined.

“Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.” (Luke 1:45, NIV)

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I have the honor and privilege of writing weekly devotionals for Daughter of Delight on Instagram.  This post with some slight variation was first posted as an original devotional for Daughter of Delight on Instagram – 12/23/2017.

I invite you to please take a moment to visit @daughterofdelight on Instagram.  I feel certain you’ll be encouraged and refreshed!