Stress Management - Freedom from Fear, Learn to Surrender

There have been times in my life of great frustration, stress, worry and fear. At those times I would cry out to Jesus. I would struggle to be strong, full of confidence and faith. I worked hard at doing all the things I had learned from the Word of God, and from those that God had sent to speak into my life. Still it was work and a continuous struggle. Again, I cried out to Jesus.

One day the Lord gave me a vision of the two of us riding a bicycle built for two. However, the back seat of the bicycle had no pedals. I was sitting in front, driving it as it were and Jesus was sitting behind me. There were times when we would pass through valleys and ascend hills. Coasting down the valleys was fun and refreshing.

However, approaching hills would cause me to have to pedal faster and breathe harder to make it to the top. One hill and then another. I began to tire even with the much needed coasting and refreshing breeze that it would bring. The Lord would then gently say to me, "Charli would you like me to lead?" I would reply, "Oh no Lord, I am doing just fine!"

It seemed that each hill began to get a little higher and it became harder to pedal to make it to the top. I began to perspire and my legs were tiring fast. Again, the Lord would softly say, "Charli, would you like me to lead?" I would reply, "Oh no Lord, I am doing just fine." The coasting times began to be shorter and shorter.

I was becoming so exhausted that my legs were cramping terribly and my heart was beating so fast that I thought it might jump right out of my chest. I felt faint. I knew at any moment I might fall off the bike for lack of strength and endurance. Once again I heard that still small voice say, "Charli, would you like me to lead?" Totally spent, mentally, physically and emotionally, at last I cried out to Jesus, "Yes, Lord, please take the lead. I can no longer do it."

Suddenly, I was sitting on the back seat of the tandem. It was a beautiful sunny day and I felt like a queen being escorted to a ball. The Lord said, "Charli, how are you doing?" I replied, "Oh, Lord this is wonderful, I am doing just fine! The view is beautiful from back here.” He said, "Great, just sit back and enjoy the ride!" At that moment the realization of the truth I had just been taught burst into my heart, why had I waited so long? God wants to do the same for you today. He wants to lead, guide and direct you into all truth. He wants you to just sit back and enjoy the ride. All you have to do is surrender the driver's seat.