Our Pastor Todd often says, “You are either coming out of a trial or going into one.” Which one are you facing this week?
When you feel like your circumstance may have an adverse outcome remember:
Psalm 121:7-8: “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Proverbs 28:25b-26: “. . . But the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched. Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
When your fears are overwhelming you remember:
Joshua 1:9 NIV: “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
1 Peter 5:7: “Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.”
Isaiah 41:13: “For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you do not fear, I will help you.”
When your energy is gone remember:
Isaiah 40:28b-29: “. . . The LORD is the everlasting God, the creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; His understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”
Isaiah 40:31: “But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
When you are afraid of getting bad news remember:
Psalm 112:6-8a: “For the righteous will never be moved; he will be remembered forever. He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid . . .”
Proverbs 1:33: “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
When you feel things will never change for the good remember:
Ephesians 3:20: “Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us.”
Mark 6:50b-51a: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded . . .”
Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Yes, I have had circumstances where I could not see they would ever turn around into a favorable outcome. I can not change things that are out of my control, BUT God can. He can see into the future and knows what is best where I cannot.
I still have occurrences of anxiety or worry from time to time. Just because I have written a Bible study on fear, “Taming the Lion’s Roar. Handling Fear in the Midst of a Crisis” does not make me exempt from Satan trying to attack me in this area. I wish that was the case. However, I now have my spiritual armor on hand with the promises of God to strengthen my faith, in His shield of protection over me. This is a workbook and not a cookbook. Sometimes fighting our fears takes effort. It takes work. But Psalm 138:7 states: “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life.”
Yes, God is in charge of the how. He can remove the apostrophe and letter T in that word “can’t.”
My physical strength becomes drained when my schedule is overly full, or a pressing problem continues for several weeks. Exhaustion is one of the enemy’s ways to tempt us to want to give up. But resting on the promises of God gives me strength. Having a good night’s sleep or a mini-vacation also is in order at times.
I have been afraid of getting unfavorable results from various medical tests for my children when they were young, and now my husband and myself at times. Psalm 112:7-8 and Proverbs 1:33, are now my go to verses when I feel I just can’t hear what I don’t want to hear from a medical professional. But God keeps me secure in His hands. He knows the how.
So often my lack of faith thinks a bad situation is going to last forever and cannot change. Oh, but God has proved Himself faithful, and has shown me He can change hearts. He can change any obstacle and turn it around for our good in the long run. He is our redeemer. It just may not happen in my narrow time frame but can in God’s sovereign plan. I love it when God astounds me!
My prayer for today: Dear God, how I want my burdens to be answered and lifted quickly! Thank you that you are preparing my eternal home in Heaven that is “imperishable, undefiled, and unfading (1 Peter 1:4).” This “stuff” will not matter then! So often I feel I just can’t take it anymore, but You have it all covered under your sovereign plan. When I think I “can’t.” You come along and remove the apostrophe T and it changes to “can.” I need to walk by faith and not by sight. Teach me your Word during this season of my life like I have never known it before and make my testimony reflect its eternal truth. Amen.
Listen to Matthew West’s song “Mended.”