Jennifer Cook
About the Author

Jennifer is the founder of groundswell ministries, dedicated to stripping away the burdens we place on ourselves and living in the freedom Christ offers.

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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  1. Oh, yes, I am here, also. Having made an idol out of His promise, I admit the need to surrender it into His Hands and just look at Him, alone. Oh how your post spoke to my heart today, Jennifer.

    Rich blessings as you rest in His presence…

    • The heart as an idol factory–the visual that comes to mind is the Veggie Tales “Rack, Shack, and Benny” with the factory of chocolate bunnies. Thank you for the imagery!

  2. I have been here over and over unfortunately. The thing that the Lord blesses me with becomes my focus instead of Him. I have often had to look at that thing in my right hand for what it is, an idol. (Isaiah 44:20) Praise the Lord!! He doesn’t leave us standing there for long holding that worthless thing before He shows us where we are and gives us the opportunity to throw it away.

    • “…gives us the opportunity to throw it away.” Interesting–reading that I realize that so often we (I) see giving up an idol as a sacrifice, when it is truly an opportunity. Paradigm shift!

  3. This post is so relative to what I’m going through right now. I have made my abusive mother my idol by trying to fill her empty-hearted well only God can fill. I’ve been drained and sucked dry and cannot give anymore. God has told me ‘enough.’ (Not sure if I interpreted your post ‘correctly,’ but that’s how it spoke to me.) How timely! Thank you.

    • “Enough”. What a powerful command from the Lord. When we feel we are not enough or cannot be enough, He says “enough” with that thinking and reminds us that He is “enough.” (How many times can I write “enough” in one post? 🙂 )

  4. Lay it down…that’s exactly what I’ve needed to do. Thank you Lord for opening my eyes through this simple example of how I have brought an idol between you and I. It has “killed” my joy, “stolen” my focus and has left me questioning what I clearly heard from God.
    In May this year I was called to a ministry in a church over 350 miles from where I currently live. You can imagine our excitement that God was moving us! But lately that excitement has dwindled, and I find myself always asking God why we aren’t there.
    Today I surrender myself, my desires and lay them at the foot of the cross. I raise my eyes to look upon you my Lord, my Life. You are faithful, God forever. You know what is best for me, and my life is in your hands, each and every part of it. I trust you Lord, and I live to praise, honor, and worship you and you alone.
    Thank you Jennifer for this revealing post. It has changed my life today!

  5. Oh, we make it so much harder than it has to be!

    This was also very timely for me. I was holding on to His promises through this storm I’m in, making them my idols. Instead, I should be holding on to Him. I need to just let Him be and relax, rest, and know that He is with me.

    Thank you for your faithfulness Jennifer. God bless you!

  6. It is so easy to worship the gift and not the giver! We must never forget where the gift came from and the cost that He lovingly paid for us to have it!

    Thanks for the great post!!

    • Wow. Making idols truly is a rejection of the gift already given. Ew, the level of disrespect to set Him aside for something so much less. Thank you for sharing.

    • The American “Idol” term really just creeps me out–yet we (I) brush over the label, ignoring the implication. I pray your series yield fruit beyond measure.