Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ve got this.”?  Maybe you have said it yourself, “I got this!”.  Did you know that if you Google “I’ve got this”, you find multiple links to various dictionaries and other sources?  Yes, from the Cambridge English Dictionary to the Urban Dictionary, and everything in between.

What does it mean to say, “I got this!”  Well, in general terms it means that you can handle something, that you will take care of something, or just to say that you have things under control.  Really?  Because the problem is, most of the time when we say that, we probably don’t mean it, and even if we do mean it it’s probably stretching the truth.

We all know that life is stressful these days, and there is no shortage of things that we must deal with that range from a little irritating, all the way to being completely overwhelming.  But, when it comes to what we tell others it’s kind of like when we ask each other at church, “Good morning, how are you?”  And we slip up that old familiar mask to say, “I’m fine.” – when we’re not fine at all, it’s a charade!

The longer I live, the older I get, the more of life I experience – I realize that “I don’t got this.”  You know what, I’m not always OK or fine, I don’t have things under control much of the time, and there actually are things in my life that I can’t handle and I can’t take care of.     And, I don’t think I am alone.  I believe there are lots of people, and Christian people, that pretend they are alright and everything is good – when in reality they are struggling with a problem, with a temptation or sin, and facing hurts hiding their pain and disorientation.

But listen, also the longer I live with Christ in me, the more mature I get in my walk with the Lord, and the more of life’s experiences I take to Him – I hear God say to me when I am at the end of myself, “I’ve got this!”.  I love how the psalmist says it in Psalm 121:1-8 (HCSB)

I lift my eyes toward the mountains. Where will my help come from?  My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.  He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.  Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.  

The LORD protects you; the LORD is a shelter right by your side.  The sun will not strike you by day or the moon by night.  The LORD will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.  The LORD will protect your coming and going both now and forever.

Thank you, Lord, for the precious promise that you are with us, that you never leave us, that you would never forsake us, that you are at work in all things for our good, and for the good of your Kingdom!  By your Spirit’s work within us, remind us of this every day, and in every situation, and for all the challenges we face.  Remind us to lift up our eyes toward you, and thank you that you are our keeper, our shade, and our Protector.  In Jesus name, Amen!