It was a rough day. I was approaching a work deadline, the kitchen was a disaster, the laundry was overflowing, my toddler was screaming, my baby was crying, and my dog was barking—all at the same time. (Please tell me I’m not the only one with days like this!) I texted a dear friend, “Please pray for me. It’s a rough day.” Moments later I got a reply, “Praying. You got this!” 

It was a kind encouragement, meant with the purest of hearts. My friend wanted to encourage me to endure through the struggle. But the reality was, I didn’t have it. I was in over my head. 

In her recent article, Caroline Albanese reminds us that “the gospel isn’t a message of self-sufficiency. It’s a message of self-insufficiency. It’s a message of reliance on Jesus for his all-sufficiency” (emphasis mine). 

God doesn’t promise that I’ll be able to handle every trial and temptation by my own strength. In fact, my inability to do so has become clearer the older I get. But as a follower of Jesus, God does promise that he will never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5). He promises that he will draw near to me as I draw near to him (James 4:8). And he promises that Christ’s power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). 

So no, I don’t have this. But I do have Christ. And Christ is seated on the throne (Col. 3:1). He’s got this.