I’ve been thinking a lot about trust and waiting on God…about how His answers to prayers often come in ways I didn’t expect or ask for, and how sometimes He answers long after the time frame I’ve requested.
When I’m in one of life’s valleys, I have to cling to my faith and trust in God.
I have to hold tight to what I know to be true.
God hears me. He sees me. He is with me. And He is carrying me through the trials when I can’t even see the next step to take.
“The Lord has heard my plea; The Lord will answer my prayer.” Psalm 6:9 NLT
In God’s perfect timing, I opened my Bible to this verse today. It’s what I’ve been reminding myself of over and over lately.
I need to praise God first, before I can see answers to my prayers, because I know that He is at work.
The solutions I think of may not be how God answers my prayers. I have to ask myself—will I only see His hand if it’s in the way I’m looking for? Or will I let go of my ideas and wait to see God’s plan unfold?
While I’m waiting, God is still with me. He strengthens me when I’m at my weakest. He guides me when I can’t see straight. He reminds me that He is at work when I start to panic. Again.
Trusting God isn’t easy. Trust develops over time.
As I walk through the desert, I learn to lean on Him more and to look for His presence every day. When the desert stretches on for what seems like way too long, my trust in Him grows stronger. It grows deeper and keeps me grounded.
Trusting God with my heart, soul, and mind gives me strength and peace that does not come from myself. He calms my fears in ways I can’t achieve on my own.
Faith and trust in God doesn’t mean smooth sailing through life. It means I don’t have to try to navigate on my own. It means I don’t have to have it all figured out. And it means it’s okay when my plans don’t work out, because I realized it was better to go with whatever God has planned.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” Isaiah 43:2 NLT
God’s promise to you and to me…He will be with us. No matter what we walk though. No matter what we’ve done.
When we believe God’s promises are for us, we know the Truth we can depend on.
Truth that stands the test of time.
Would you like to have a relationship with Christ? If you want to know Him you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. You can start this with a simple prayer:
Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small. Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be. Amen
If you prayed today and asked Jesus Christ to come into your life and take control, we would love to hear from you. Some helpful internet links will be sent to you and we can also connect you with an email mentor if you’d like that. Your choice. But we’d still love to hear from you.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15
Life is not always easy.
Everyday letters come to this website from those of you walking through complex, confusing, and even tragic things that have unexpectedly imposed themselves on lives with little or no warning. If you find yourself arising to a day that is in turmoil, consider getting dressed for your day according to scripture.
Whenever you don’t know what to do, do this one thing first — clothe yourself with compassion, kindness and humility.
Pull on gentleness, patience and forgiveness. Wrap the cloak of love around them all as you go. (Colossians 3:12-15)
Deliberately put these things on just as you deliberately put on your clothes. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen and help you.
As you step into the challenges of today clothe yourself first with these characteristics. Be intentional about keeping them in focus. Be specific in asking God’s help to demonstrate them as you walk. It will impact the day of turmoil and help bring God’s peace.
In a day when peace seems impossible this is the first step to having God’s peace rule your heart. Those around you, who share the difficult circumstances, will be steadied by your presence as you dress in the things only God can give in the measure you need today.
Father God, I need Your Spirit to clothe me with a soft heart today. Though things around me may be hard, may I help bring Your presence into the circumstances of today by being dressed with the characteristics Your Holy Spirit can bring to my life. Stir within me a thankful heart and use my presence to help bring Your presence of peace to those around me. I ask this in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.
How do you keep these characteristics of God in focus?
