This blog is going to be a little different than my normal, because I need this message as a reminder to myself right now. This blog is broken down into 3 areas that we should consider during all times, but especially in a personal crisis: Trusting God, God's Faithfulness, and The Mercy of God. I, personally, am dealing with the struggle of deciding which path of treatment to take for my 2cm [20mm] size kidney stone.
Trusting God
It's a lot easier to trust God when things are going as you might expect, right? Then there are moments that are like life's sucker punches. They are unexpected, cause fear and hurt, usually require a decision, and make your immediate [not eternal] future unknown. Trusting God is a measure of your faith in His 'total' control over you and all situations you will face in this life. John 16:33 "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John Piper's following quote comforts me, as I have felt guilty for being scared and doubtful in my current struggle...
"When anxiety strikes and blurs our vision of God’s glory and the greatness of the future that he plans for us, this does not mean that we are faithless, or that we will not make it to heaven. It means our faith is being attacked. At first blow, our belief in God’s promises may sputter and swerve. But whether we stay on track and make it to the finish line depends on whether, by grace, we set in motion a process of resistance — whether we fight back against the unbelief of anxiety. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Notice: it does not say, “I never struggle with fear.” Fear strikes, and the battle begins. So the Bible does not assume that true believers will have no anxieties. Instead, the Bible tells us how to fight when they strike."
When we put our trust in God alone... we are secure in His presence with us, His protection over us, His completion of the work He started in us, and His knowing what is best for us ultimately.
There’s so much now I cannot see,
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him. —Overton
My eyesight’s far too dim;
But come what may, I’ll simply trust
And leave it all to Him. —Overton
God's Faithfulness
Daniel 9:4 “Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments."
Unless we are struggling with a threat of illness or danger, we usually trust God when we go to sleep to wake us up without much or any thought. We trust Him because He has been faithful every day. So when we face a crisis, we need to remind ourselves of God's faithful track record thus far--100% of the time He has carried me through every struggle I have encountered.
"Most churchgoers easily claim, “I’ve yielded my life to Christ.” To actually live out those words, however, is more difficult. We want to cling to a measure of control in case God doesn’t work events to our satisfaction. Too many Christians are content merely to dip their toes into faith because they fear life might not turn out according to their plan. But how much greater their loss will be if life doesn’t turn out according to God’s plan. He can do much more with a surrendered existence than a sheltered one." [intouch.org]
As for myself, I love the 'On this Day' feature of Facebook. It shows me my posts, which are my thoughts, during previous hard times and the faithfulness of God time after time. I'm not saying God did exactly what I wanted but He provided for all my needs. He was with me always and never forsake me, just as He promised.
The Grace and Mercy of God
Though danger lurks on every side,
In Christ our Lord we will abide;
Our God is strong, our hope is sure—
In Him alone we are secure! —Fitzhugh
In Christ our Lord we will abide;
Our God is strong, our hope is sure—
In Him alone we are secure! —Fitzhugh
Hebrews 4:15-16 " For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Sometimes we do our best to make the right decisions, but things don't play out as we had hoped. The grace and mercy of God can trump our plans, according to God's will, for our ultimate, eternal benefit.
As for myself, I want to be wise yet humble in my decision making. I know that my eternal destination is waiting for me and only God knows if He will use me here or there, sooner or later. I pray for His will to be done, here on earth as it is in Heaven. Amen!
, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Daniel 9:4
