Many people are optimistic when they start their day, others are not. Those that are not, usually focus on themselves and their circumstance; not expecting anything different than the same old grind in life. Some find themselves questioning God on whether His hand is really over our lives, or are we just drifting through life without purpose, living in fear of the unexpected or unknown. I’ve even heard some people say, “Does God even really know what He’s doing?
When we take the focus off of ourselves, others and events, and place it on God, we allow God to use the current difficulties we face as a life lesson to learn what will benefit us. We need to accept the reality that we do not have control of the universe and trust that our Father in heaven does have control of the universe, and that He only wants good things for us. Then we can step back and look at what we are being called to do in order to find peace in the present.
Let’s look at some things that will help us to accept reality and to trust in God as a Christian.
First, we need to agree that God is in control and not man. Psalm 113:5-6 (NASB) says, Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who looks far down to the heavens and the earth?”
There are times when the Lord allows our plans to go off course to remind us that we aren’t in control. It’s easier to look at people and accuse them of messing with our agendas when this happens. I believe, that perhaps God is allowing difficulty to get our attention to the real work He is doing within us.
We should come to trust in God in spite of the circumstances around us. Remember what Romans 8:28 (NASB) tells us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Feeling overwhelmed at our circumstances may cause us to doubt that God is really working on our behalf when life feels unpredictable. These are the times that God is most at work in our lives by building a relationship of trust with us. When we trust in God with all our hearts, even during our difficult times, and remain patient, we can learn to see the direction our lives are moving in.
James 1:2-3 (NASB) tell us to, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” This verse is telling us to expect our faith to be tested by God. It’s not usually a lot of fun to have our faith tested. We can find ourselves stretched beyond what we thought we could have ever done before. It’s sometimes hard to realize that we are human and cannot always understand God’s plan for our lives. When this happens, we need to draw strength from His word that the testing is building our perseverance and faith into a greater maturity in our Christian walk.
When we honestly confess our weaknesses to Jesus it can remind us that God is in control, and helps us to submit to his ways. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB) says, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” We trade out weakness for Christ’s strength.
When we pray according to the Word of God, our faith is strengthened so we can follow where the Lord is leading us. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) explains, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” It’s essential for believers in Christ to know that God’s Word purifies our hearts so we can understand and see the path He wants us to walk on, and how we should live.
When we begin our days, we should be ready with an attitude of expectancy that God is in control of every part of our day. This is a choice we make by allowing His will to direct our lives. As Christians we need to be ready and alert to switch to God’s plans for us each and every day. This will strengthen us in our weaknesses, grow us in the faith, and bring fresh grace as well as mercy for each new day.
Remember what Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB) says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” When we accept the reality that God is in control it drives us to trust in Him as a Christian.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
When we take the focus off of ourselves, others and events, and place it on God, we allow God to use the current difficulties we face as a life lesson to learn what will benefit us. We need to accept the reality that we do not have control of the universe and trust that our Father in heaven does have control of the universe, and that He only wants good things for us. Then we can step back and look at what we are being called to do in order to find peace in the present.
Let’s look at some things that will help us to accept reality and to trust in God as a Christian.
First, we need to agree that God is in control and not man. Psalm 113:5-6 (NASB) says, Who is like the Lord our God, Who is enthroned on high, Who looks far down to the heavens and the earth?”
There are times when the Lord allows our plans to go off course to remind us that we aren’t in control. It’s easier to look at people and accuse them of messing with our agendas when this happens. I believe, that perhaps God is allowing difficulty to get our attention to the real work He is doing within us.
We should come to trust in God in spite of the circumstances around us. Remember what Romans 8:28 (NASB) tells us, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Feeling overwhelmed at our circumstances may cause us to doubt that God is really working on our behalf when life feels unpredictable. These are the times that God is most at work in our lives by building a relationship of trust with us. When we trust in God with all our hearts, even during our difficult times, and remain patient, we can learn to see the direction our lives are moving in.
James 1:2-3 (NASB) tell us to, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” This verse is telling us to expect our faith to be tested by God. It’s not usually a lot of fun to have our faith tested. We can find ourselves stretched beyond what we thought we could have ever done before. It’s sometimes hard to realize that we are human and cannot always understand God’s plan for our lives. When this happens, we need to draw strength from His word that the testing is building our perseverance and faith into a greater maturity in our Christian walk.
When we honestly confess our weaknesses to Jesus it can remind us that God is in control, and helps us to submit to his ways. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NASB) says, “And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” We trade out weakness for Christ’s strength.
When we pray according to the Word of God, our faith is strengthened so we can follow where the Lord is leading us. Hebrews 4:12 (NASB) explains, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” It’s essential for believers in Christ to know that God’s Word purifies our hearts so we can understand and see the path He wants us to walk on, and how we should live.
When we begin our days, we should be ready with an attitude of expectancy that God is in control of every part of our day. This is a choice we make by allowing His will to direct our lives. As Christians we need to be ready and alert to switch to God’s plans for us each and every day. This will strengthen us in our weaknesses, grow us in the faith, and bring fresh grace as well as mercy for each new day.
Remember what Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB) says, “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” When we accept the reality that God is in control it drives us to trust in Him as a Christian.
Blessings,
Pastor Chuck
RSS Feed