Some call it stubborn. I like to call it independent.
There is a difference.
stubborn: unreasonably obstinate, obstinately unmoving; difficult to manage or suppress
independent: not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself
My parents were given a strong-willed, stubborn daughter.
They had their work cut out for them, but they did a beautiful job of raising that stubborn independent girl.
They equipped her…
To take care of herself when she got out on her own.
To stand up for what’s right, and for herself.
To work hard for a living, and to work smart in this life.
In some areas she’s applied well what they taught her, and in others… well, her stubbornness still abounds.
I’m thankful my parents never gave up in what must have been the daunting task of raising me. Their influence and love transformed my stubbornness into something productive, something positive, something beautifully independent. On most days.
Yet, my stubbornness still, at times, rears its ugly head.
During the times I have trouble letting others help me.
When I, all too often, take things in my own hands.
When it’s difficult for me to sit back and let God be in control.
And wouldn’t you know, God gave me a daughter who’s just like her mama.
For the past twenty weeks I’ve been studying the life of Moses, and through his example of living life, there’s hope for us stubborn-born people. Moses went from a man who took everything into his own hands, to a man who wholeheartedly trusted God… in everything.
He was transformed from a “put up your dukes,” and, “I got this” kind of leader, to one who learned how to just “be still” in God’s presence, and to trust and obey.
God took Moses from stubbornness, to independence, to dependence on Him.
Such a beautiful transformation!
I keep coming back to one sentence…
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Those are uncomfortable words for a stubborn-born person. We want to be the ones to do the work, to “put up our dukes,” to complete the task. We want to be in control.
Are these words uncomfortable for you too? Could you be finding yourself in a place of stubbornness? Is God wanting to help you in a situation, to fight for you, but you’re still saying, “I got this. I don’t need your help”?
Yet, those words might just be the reminder we need today.
It’s when we let go of our will, our stubbornness, that God’s perfect will for our lives can materialize.
We weren’t meant to be the ones in control. We weren’t called to fight our own fight. May we release our stubbornness and “put down our dukes.”
We’ll watch God’s will for our lives materialize. His pleasing and perfect will.
Praying for all of us in this, and cheering you on in your faith today!
Julie
Joining my friends at Suzie Eller’s for #livefree Thursday on the prompt “Put you your dukes.”
Julie, I am reading Exodus too! Love this analogy of the transformation of Moses. I married into stubborn and have grown to be stubborn in response. Praying for the Lord to transform me just like He transformed Moses. Blessings! Denise
Thank you, Denise for stopping by and for sharing. My husband married into stubborn, bless his heart, and bless yours too. We all have something we can give the Lord to transform, and what a mighty work He can do when we allow Him to. Praying the same for transformation for us all. Bless you!
Watching God’s will for us to materialize… this gives me shivers. And challenges me to get out of the way, and allow Him to work, and move, and battle for me.
So great to discover your blog! From the #livefreeThursday link-up 🙂
Hi Christine! It’s a joy to “meet” you. Thank you for stopping by! Sometimes I find I get in the way too often. May we all allow Him to battle for us! I’ll stop over and check your blog out too! Bless you!
Julie, it’s so hard to give up that control huh? Great to see you on the #livefree linkup today. Have a great one, Kim Stewart
You said it, Kim! Thank you for stopping by, friend!
Julie, oh how I can relate. I was the strong-willed child and the stubborn adult! You and your daughter are in good company.
Coming to you from #LiveFreeThursday
Blessings,
Christy
Hi Christy! I’m so glad we’re not in this alone, and someone else out there understands! Bless you and thank you for your words!
Hey friend! My sister was the stubborn one in our family:) LOL She would probably disagree with me. It is SOOO hard for a stubborn-born person to be still. You are right! Thankful that God is patient with me. Blessings to you today!
Amen, Kristine. I’m thankful God is patient with me too. Sounds like your sister and I have much in common! LOL! God bless you!
Excellent post! But, in many cases we allow the urgency of a particular situation to get the most of us in the sense of driving us desperate to the point where we can no longer trust God. Instead we go forth with our own alternatives which will worsen the situation further. Relying on God is not an easy task since it requires that we lay aside our human will by handing over everything to Him who is able to do everything. Nevertheless, it’s the best thing that we can ever do.
Been there, done that, Arold. How I’ve had to learn this the hard way! Thank you for sharing truth here. Bless you!