My mom has always been the most wonderful example of how to walk with God. In light of the tough year that we’ve been through, she shared a devotional that she recently sent to the boys with me. I know how much I needed to hear this, and I am so grateful that she is willing to share it with our readers. Enjoy. -Chelsea The past few months, for lack of a better word, have been “challenging”. We have been tried and tested. We have suffered personal loss and roadblock after roadblock has been thrown in our paths. We have been disappointed, heartbroken and frustrated. We may have even questioned where was God during all of this?
Our ways are not God’s ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. The plans and pathways that we select for our lives may not be the ones that He chooses, but does that make Him any less God? Isn’t the God we serve today the same God that parted the Red Sea and the River Jordan? Isn’t He the same God that can turn water into wine, cause the blind to see, cause the deaf to hear and raise the dead? So what makes us think that He can’t or won’t turn our situation, circumstances, conditions around?
Remember the story of Joseph? Joseph was his father’s favorite. So much so that his father had a special coat made just for him. He was probably spoiled rotten and a little full of himself; I mean why else would he brag to everyone about those dreams that he dreamed? If God would have given Him “the promise” while he was still immature and self-absorbed, who knows how his story would have turned out? Sometimes God has to take us through some things to work some things out of us. He had to “break” Joseph and teach him patience and humility. Someone who was sold into slavery, thrown into prison, lied on and forgotten, ended up being the most powerful person in the land. What his brothers did to him was horrible and unforgivable, but what they meant for evil, God turned it around for good. (Genesis 50: 19-20) Joseph had been so broken and humbled by his experiences that instead of having his brothers killed or thrown into prison when they came to him for help (of course they didn’t recognize him) he cried so loudly and deeply that he could be heard throughout the grounds.
Remember our circumstances don’t determine our outcomes. We walk by faith, not by sight. God has a plan and an outcome for all of our lives. No one and nothing can change or stop what He has planned for us. No matter how bleak things appear, No matter how many hurdles we have to jump over, crosses we have to bear, hoops we have to jump through, walls we have to tear down, God is still on the throne and still in control. He is fully aware of every tear, every obstacle, every pain and He will never leave us or forsake us. He is actually closest to us when we’re heartbroken; just like a loving parent would be closest to a child during a crisis. We have to grow, change, mature, learn patience and humility in order to be “soldiers” for Him. How I live for the day when we are all “fearless”. The day when we are not anxious about ANYTHING! The day when we are so confident and comfortable in the peace and joy of the Lord that nothing can shake us. One of the most encouraging scriptures to lean on when going through one of life’s many storms is: “AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE”. All things means good stuff and painful stuff. The things that break our hearts and the things that bring us to our knees are working together with all our other stuff for good.We must press on to the prize. Never give up, never give in. Speak (out loud) blessings into the atmosphere over our lives. Praise through tears. Ask God to cover any specific needs you have. Remember you have not because you ask not. Do not allow the enemy to do anything to cause you to miss your blessing. He wil try ANYTHING and EVERYTHING to throw you off track. He will get into your head and try to convince you that you are wasting your time working so hard–nothing good will come out it. He will surround you with negative people who will try to destroy your hopes and dreams and kill your visions. He will make you sick or injure you and have you question your future. Stand on, lean on, hold on to the promises of God. Re-read some of the previous devotionals that I sent you. The more time you spend with the Lord (praying) and the more time you spend in His Word (reading), the more intimate your relationship will become and the more you will trust and depend on Him. Remember, God is pursuing a plan for our lives that is far beyond our limited ability to comprehend.
Trust Him and rest in Him today and everyday. I love you so very, very much. Mom