Just Be Held

I don’t normally share things like this, but I felt like I should talk about a few things that have been on my heart.

Last year, I was really stressed out about a lot of things. It’s not unusual for me to be worried and stressed, but this was worse than normal. That summer, we went to a free concert sponsored by 104.7 the Fish, and saw Casting Crowns. One of the songs they played, one they talked about, was “Just Be Held.” I’d probably heard it before on the radio, but I’d never really noticed it.

You know how when people share things with a large group, whether it’s at church or a Christian concert, they’ll say that they feel like it’s for someone in particular and hope it touches them, and you wonder if it’s supposed to be for you, but it's not exactly what you need? With the previous artists I listened to, that was happening to me. But when Casting Crowns shared “Just Be Held,” I KNEW it was for me. It was probably for many others as well, but it really spoke to me.

It’s all about so many things I’d been feeling, so many things I continue to feel. I try to be in control, but I can’t be. I try to be strong, to take care of everything myself, and it’s outside of my power. I want to fix things, whether it’s the country, a relative’s faith, or a friend’s health, and I feel so powerless to do anything. The world is falling apart, and the more I try to hold on, the worse the stress gets.

“There’s freedom in surrender,

Lay it down and let it go.”

This song fits in so well with things that have been said in church, things that have been said to the worship team, things my friend has blogged about, things that I’ve been struggling with. God has everything under control. He’s fixed everything, He has a plan, He’s painting beauty with the ashes, my life is in His hands. God’s got this. I don’t need to keep holding on, I need to just be held.

I had a lot of things to let go last year. I had a lot of things to let go last Christmas. I had a lot of things to let go last week. I have a way I want things to go, sure, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is God’s will. I know from experience that God’s way is the best way. If I want the best for my friends, if I want the best for my country, I need to let go of my way and surrender to God’s way. Because God knows what He’s doing. And there is such a peace in that. Such freedom in surrender. Because it’s not my responsibility to run my life. It’s not my job to fix the world. That’s God’s responsibility. That’s God’s job. And He does it far better than I ever could.

“So when you’re on your knees and answers seem so far away

You’re not alone, stop holding on and just be held

Your world’s not falling apart, it’s falling into place

I’m on the throne, stop holding on and just be held.”