Let go and let God. That’s what they say. Give it to God. All your sins. Worries. Troubles. He will carry your burden for you.

Sometimes, it isn’t that easy. Sometimes, I need Him to pry my hands loose and wrestle it from me. Swipe it right out of my arms. Strip me of it. Separate me from it.

For the longest time, I thought I had to release it, hand it over to God. I’ve discovered that I can also ask God to take it. And if my heart is right, and I am broken enough, He’ll do just that. Today, on the drive to work, my stomach was knotted, my eyes hurt, I was stressed beyond belief. Worried. I had been in this condition for two days straight, allowing my circumstances to eat me alive. I wanted to let go and let God. But I wasn’t strong enough to set it free. It had a hold of me, and I couldn’t shake it.

I prayed for God to take it. Just to take it away. I couldn’t handle it, didn’t want it.

And he took it.

The stress is still there. The situation causing the stress is still in play. But I have much more peace about it.  God has been faithful in taking it on Himself. Allowing me some relief. This is not the first time this year that I’ve prayed for God to take. He’s currently 2 for 2.  

So, when I can’t find a way to give, I ask God to take.  As a result, I have a different “take” on this passage from Job.

Job 1:21 – Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Our God provides in many wonderous ways. I’ve come to learn that His giving can even include taking. You only need ask.