You are currently browsing the tag archive for the ‘trusting that God will work all things out’ tag.
Knowing that God will rescue you
Where is God in all of our struggles? We are living in unbelievably difficult days and it does not appear to be getting any better. Trying to hold on in faith while the darkness surrounds our situation can literally seem impossible. In our finite minds, it doesn’t make sense that God appears to wait so long to come to our rescue.
The pain of a trial in life can be overwhelming. A troubled marriage can turn your life upside down. Financial problems seem to have no end in sight. A serious illness can interrupt your life in a big way. Addictions to alcohol, drugs, pornography or any bondage can bring total havoc in your life. There are just too many problems to deal with as utter darkness covers the earth. Where is the peace that surpasses understanding that Jesus promised us believers? Sometimes it may take all the effort you have just to get out of bed in the morning and face life. Without a doubt, we are living in troubling times. So what can we do?
We are told in God’s word that then enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking to devour you. He is seeking to kill, steal and destroy all that you have. But, the truth is that the enemy cannot take anything from one whose faith is in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. All that he can do is convince you of a lie that his power to destroy you is bigger than God’s power to rescue you. You must remember that the tomb could not hold back the Holy Spirit’s power to raise Christ from the dead and that same power is living in you! For that reason, you cannot be defeated no matter how wounded you are in the battle you are fighting. Christ has conquered death and the power of evil. Though the enemy can wage war all around you, you will not be a casualty of a battle that has already been won. Don’t look at your circumstances – look at your God! Our weakness comes when we take our eyes off the Source of our power. Jesus does not take cover in the attacks of the enemy. He is our fortress and a very present help to us. The weary can find safety in his shadow and experience peace in his never-ending love.
By knowing and understanding the God you serve, you are able to rest and trust him to get you through the storm. If Jesus tells us to take joy despite our problems, he must have a way for us to do so. We know by all that is true that God cannot lie. In every one of our troubles, God is present and working them out. You don’t have to feel him or see him working to know that he is causing all things to be used for your good. It is by faith, which is greater than silver or gold, that we trust despite our pain. My friends, you must understand that while this earth is not heaven, it is here that God is getting us ready to be royalty in a glorious place that will never end! It is difficult to endure the hardships that surround us each day, but it is not impossible. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross gave us hope that our future is secure. If he has the hairs on your head numbered, he surely is not going to forget to help you when you need him. In his timing, you will understand that he never left you for one second! The Apostle Peter took his eyes off of Jesus when he was walking on the water and began to sink. But understand this – JESUS NEVER TOOK HIS EYES OFF OF PETER! Jesus was able to lift Peter up from the sea because his power did not cease even when Peter doubted him.
God’s love and power for you are real. If you are struggling it is because you are listening to the lies of the enemy and have taken your eyes from Christ. I know that your financial problems are real and that your marriage may be in serious trouble. All that I am saying is that God is not going to fail you. You may think he is not with you now in your pain but the truth is that he is. Even in your fear and weakness, he is not going to abandon you. His love is just so amazing that it will meet you wherever you are. He knows how to lift you from your sea of trouble and he will not let you drown. God can make a way even when there is none.
Let the amazing love that Christ has for you be your strength in the battle you are facing. Get into his word and let him fill you will the knowledge of his power so that you will not be afraid of what the future holds for you. The words that God gave to his people long ago are for you today: “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”. (Isaiah 41:13)
Share the good news!
God always has the power to help you overcome
So much is happening in this world and the struggle to survive is getting more difficult. Everyone has been affected in some way by the economy as jobs are scarce and homes are being foreclosed on daily. The increase of broken marriages is staggering even among Christians. And it seems like so many health issues are affecting people everywhere. Though prayers are being offered, some may wonder if God’s power is enough to take us through.
The Apostle Paul said in 2 Timothy 1:12, “For I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that he is able to guard that which I give to him for this day“. That was a powerful statement coming from a man who in his lifetime was beaten, stoned, homeless and imprisoned. How could such faith come from Paul in the midst of all that he had to endure? It seems like God should have made Paul’s life a little easier since he was entrusted with bringing the good news of Christ to the lost. But God’s ways are higher.
The truth lies in the fact that Paul intimately KNEW the God he served. He was confident that he could have peace in his blessings as well as his trials. He understood that in all things, God was working out a perfect plan that would strengthen Paul in this life and earn him reward in heaven. The reality was that God had a purpose in using all that came against Paul to further his kingdom as he transformed Paul into the image of Christ. Paul was ready for the day when he would meet his Savior face to face. For that reason he believed that to die was gain and to go on living was for Christ. Paul was ready to do whatever was asked of him.
The grace that you need to face all of the challenges in your life as a believer is living in you! There is now no mountain of trouble and no sea of tears that can stop you from living an abundant life in Christ Jesus. The enemy can’t do anything to you that God knows will destroy you. You can’t lose the battle when the power of Christ is your force and your strength. You must always remember that God knows your struggles and your pain. It was by his will that you were created and by his word he spoke the universe into existence. There is nothing hidden from the all-knowing, all present God.
God will always be sovereign over all that you go through. In the book of Job, we read that Satan had to first ask permission to come against Job. Satan wanted to destroy Job but God knew that the testing was only going to make Job stronger in his faith and more blessed than before. He knew his power would be more than enough for Job to overcome all of the enemy’s attacks. Do you not know that the same is true for you and in your circumstance? The wind, the waves and every storm and battle that you face must first come before Christ who allows only that which he will cause to be used for your good despite how painful it seems now. Beloved, for that reason you must never give up. Your God is working out blessings in your life that you can’t even imagine! You may feel weak, but God will keep you from sinking if you will just keep your eyes on him.
In my own life, I am experiencing a struggle that is causing me much pain. There are times I also feel overwhelmed and weakened from the battle that never seems to end. It is difficult some mornings for me to just get out of bed. Yet in my heart, I know the God whom I have believed. I can trust through all things that God will not fail me. I may not see or feel him working out my problem, but I know that he is. When I get weary, I turn to his word and seek his strength. I have purposed in my heart to keep my trust in Christ no matter how dark the storm gets. Sometimes I write these posts through my tears. It is difficult but I know my Redeemer lives! He has taken me too far for me to give up now. Each day I grow in the strength that he gives me. All that I am going through has a purpose that God has designed and that he will work out in his perfect way.
It is my prayer that if you are in a difficult situation that you will give your pain to the One who paid the price to give you a future with hope. Jesus overcame all of our enemies and all of our problems by his death on the cross. There is nothing can can hold you in bondage if you will trust that God is bigger. I will be praying with you.
Dear Lord, there is so much darkness in this world and we are all struggling to stay in the battle. I pray for all of those who are just too weary to pray and who feel that you have given up on them. I stand in the gap for those who are hurting and I pray that you will lead them to your perfect peace. Let them feel your presence as you give them the knowledge that nothing will stop your plan and the future that you have ordained for them. You are more than able to guard all the pain and struggles that we give to you for this day. Open their eyes to see that you already have them surrounded by your angels who are greater than the troubles that come against them. Please give them an understanding of your enduring love. Amen
