God's Love in the Trials

"I know Your plan is perfect. I know Your way is best. But sometimes it's hard to see."
Can you relate?

 I found myself praying those words this morning as I opened up to God about the trials I'm facing. This week has been a long and hard week, but I'm starting to see more clearly than I have in several months. You see, I don't have a job. Not because I don't want one, but because it hasn't "worked out" yet. I've applied - even interviewed - but time after time, nothing happened. That's my greatest trial. Then there's general discontent with my life: I'm unmarried (thus not a mommy), I'm not as successful as other people my age, I still live at home, I don't have one of those "really important" degrees. These are my trials, my hard stuff, my Lumpy Mess of Unending Changelessness.

And for months I have been overwhelmed, feeling as if I'd be stuck here forever. But this week, I read something that started the chipping away of that Lumpy Mess. I was reading the bit in Romans about how nothing can separate us from the love of God and I came across this verse:

"None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us." (8:37; MSG; emphasis mine)

Wow. So simple yet so powerful. Absolutely nothing and no one can faze - disturb or daunt - us. At least they shouldn't be able to.

As fantastic of a truth as this is, it's much easier to read it on a paper than to live it out. It wasn't two days after I read this that I cried myself to sleep because I couldn't see an end to the Changlessness. It's so hard to trust that what is going on doesn't surprise God and may, in fact, be part of His plan. Even though I know in my head that He's got this. Romans 9 makes that so clear.

"What God did in this case [His plan concerning Jacob and Esau] made it perfectly clear that His purpose is not a hit-or-miss thing dependent on what we do or don't do, but a sure thing determined by His decision, flowing steadily from His initiative." (9:11b-12a; MSG)

He knows what's going to happen, He knows what He's going to use to get my life to a certain point. My job is to trust Him, even when I can't see.

Still, knowing He has a plan - even those great days when I trust Him - doesn't take away the painful fear of the unknown. On their album Made, Hawk Nelson has a song called "Through the Fire" and the chorus goes as follows:

Why does it hurt if You love me? Why does it hurt if You're all I need? Why does it hurt if Your light's alive inside of me? Then why can't, why can't I just believe You mean good for me?

I'm beginning to think it's normal for Believers to struggle with trusting that God's got our best interests at heart. It's even normal to be afraid to trust Him. Fear's going to be there because we are only human. However, our fear should not determine our bottom line. Instead, we should take all the fear and doubt and uncertainty and run straight into God's arms with it.

How long, Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord's praise, for He has been good to me. (Psalm 13; NIV; emphasis mine)

Pour out your heart to Him. Tell Him every thought, every fear, every desire - no matter how ugly - and then choose to trust Him. Choose to trust that He knows what He's doing. 

I don't know what your trials are. I don't know if you have job you hate. I don't know if your marriage is rocky or your kids are making heartbreaking choices. I don't know if you're worn out from trying to keep up with the Joneses or if you're out-growing your home. I don't know where you are in life. But there is one thing I do know: God loves you. And His love can carry you through the hardest of trials.

How have you seen God work through your trials? How do you see Him working now? What are some practical steps you've taken to trust Him? Comment below!

 

When the Going Gets Tough

Ever have those days...or weeks...or months when it seems as if nothing is going as it should? You're saving every penny you earn, yet it never seems to add up. You're looking as hard as you can for a job, but you're not what they're looking for. You're praying daily for leading on a decision but never find the answer. Whatever your Big Thing, it makes those days feel like weeks, weeks feel like months and months feel like years. I've been there. I'm there I'm right now. And even if a switch is flipped tomorrow and everything works out, I'll be there again someday. We all have and will experience times like these.  

 

If you're anything like me, your response is likely to give up too easily. I'd rather escape than face it. It's easier to plug in the headphones and drown out the world than it is to put yourself out there and have the world shut you down. Or maybe you're more like me on my better days. You stick it out, do everything you can to chip away at the Lumpy Mess of Unending Changlessness. But after two hours spent applying for two jobs, listening to a variety of Celtic tunes and drinking so much water and coffee that you could sail away...That lump is still just as big and you just feel tired. My point is that whatever version of me you are, sooner or later you're not going to be enough. You'll either run out of Amazon Prime movies or job postings and you'll be forced to face the reality of the Lumpy Mess: You. Can't. Do. Anything. To. Fix. It. What then? Well, I'm going to let the Negative Me and the Positive Me answer in their own words.

 

NEGATIVE ME (normal Michigan accent)

"What then?" Well, assuming I managed to actually take a break from "Doctor Who" and look at a couple of job postings...It's back to the world of Who for me. After all, it's such a nice change to see someone face a bad situation head-on and actually be clever enough to fix it and after forty-two minutes, everyone's safe (well...except for one or two. But they were dispensable. Unless it was the Ponds) and happy (except for when the Ponds were taken). On the whole, things are okay. I'd rather spend my time watching bad-turn-to-good than having to figure out how to change my own bad to good. After all, I've done all I can so there's nothing left to do but wait. In the meantime, might as well do something, right? So if you don't mind, I'm going to get back to the Doctor and my snacks.

 

POSTIVE ME (smooth, elegant British accent)

Excuse all of that negativity you just read! Those really are not the days of which I'm most proud. On my better days, I am actually inclined to a more positive attitude. After all, I managed quite a lot, didn't I? It may have been only two applications but that's two more than I had done, regardless of how tired it caused me to be. Thus, I feel it is appropriate to reward my hard work. I think a bowl of ice cream and a movie are fitting, wouldn't you say? So please excuse me. I must drown my discouragement -- I mean, reward my efforts.

 

See? Whichever version you are, you end up as a couch potato by the end of the day. And what does that get ya? Absolutely nothing. I propose that there is a better way to exist under the circumstances of the Lumpy Mess of Unending Changelessness.

 

I'm going to get right to it because I don't have the time to dance around the issue (Seriously, I have to leave in an hour). There is a better and more right way to handle life, even when it doesn't go our way: Hand-in-hand with Christ, relying on Him to be all we need. I say "even when" because as Believers, I think we find it easier to walk side-by-side with God when the road is smooth and straight. I know I do. But we're not talking smooth a straight,  we're talking choppy, winding, and unmarked. Like trying to find your seats at an outdoor music festival. After dark. Almost impossible and totally exhausting.

 

It's these frustrating and depressing times in life when we need the arms of Jesus most. And it's these times when I, at least, find it hardest to run to Him. What can He do that I can't? The truth is, everything. He can do everything that I can't do. He can provide just as much as I need exactly when I need it. He can take my hand and lead me even when I can't see the road ahead. He can give me the strength and courage and resourcefulness I require. All I gotta do is run to Him, make Him my refuge, my safe place. Let Him and His grace be enough for my Big Thing.

 

And that's all you have to do.

 

Psalm 91 is an amazing chapter full of little golden nuggets of wonderful truths about a Journey walked hand-in-hand with God. We can find rest in Him. He can rescue us, protect us. We have no reason to be afraid or to dread the darkness of this life. We don't have to be enslaved to sin because He holds us up and He gives us the victory. He gives us salvation and eternal life. He. Will. Be. With. Us.

 

How do we get this? We make Him our shelter, our refuge, our safe place. That means that when the going gets tough, we get going - straight to Him. We spend time daily seeking Him through His Word and through honest, heart-revealing prayer. We share with Him every detail of our lives, every desire of our hearts, our fears; we hold nothing back. And when running to Him becomes our default setting in hard times, we will find that He provides everything we need. And when we can't see how it's all going to work out, we still trust Him to be faithful. And when it doesn't work out how we would have chosen, we trust His plan.

Go read Psalm 91. What little golden nuggets stick out to you?

 

 

 

 

 

Resolutions Part 2: Application

Happy Thursday all!

On Monday, we talked about New Year's Resolutions. We defined Resolutions and even touched a bit on how they fit into our Walk with God. Today I want us to dive deeper into the idea of making Resolutions a part of our relationship with our Creator: why they're a good idea and tools to help us put them into action.

Like I said in my last post, Believers are called to become more like Christ everyday. This really boils down to making a choice: to glorify God or indulge self. Every time we make a choice with the purpose of bringing glory to our Father, we take another step towards being like Christ. Every time we make a choice to gratify ourselves, we miss out on the blessing of a righteous life. 

In Romans 6, Paul compares life under sin's rule and life under God's rule. He calls on us (the readers) to remember what it was like when we cared only about ourselves and what we wanted to do. He reminds us that "the more you did just what you felt like doing - not caring about others, not caring about God - the worse your life became and the less freedom you had" (v. 19; MSG). Conversely when we discovered what it was like to listen to God and to put His Truth into practice, we experienced a "whole, healed, put-together life" (v. 22; MSG).

While our point of initial salvation freed us from the tyranny and punishment (eternal life in hell) of sin, we can still make choices that enslave us again. Paul writes, "So, since we’re out from under the old tyranny, does that mean we can live any old way we want? Since we’re free in the freedom of God, can we do anything that comes to mind? Hardly. You know well enough from your own experience that there are some acts of so-called freedom that destroy freedom" (Rom. 6:15-16; MSG). He encourages us not to use the freedom we've gained in Christ for the purpose of sinning, but rather to accomplish that which is pleasing to our Creator (Gal. 5:13). I think all of this shows how Resolutions - determined and firm purposes - can help to enhance our daily Walk. If we make the decision to rely on God's strength to make the right choices in our everyday life, we will begin to look more like Christ and less like the world. This is why biblically-based Resolutions are a fantastic idea!

Now how do we stick this out and avoid giving up in "the first day of the second month?" (Yes, I just quoted myself.) I think the first really good thing you can do is WRITE IT OUT. As you prayerfully consider what things God might want to change in you, write them down. I haven't yet made an actual list on paper (though I talk to God about them pretty regularly) but it's not a bad idea. Write them down and then put them somewhere you'll see them everyday (I think I might take my own advice...)

After you've written them down, it might be a good idea to share them with someone close to you who can support you, encourage you and keep you accountable (yes, that might hurt sometimes but it's good). I informally shared mine with my mom and my sister. I even made mention of them to a close friend (that's three people who now have the right to get on my case). I'll even share them with you, so you can see kinda where I'm hoping this year will lead...

1. Spend time with God and in His Word every morning. I desire to have a greater intimacy with my Creator by the end of the year than I do now. The best way to do that? Talking with Him, listening to Him and making Him my safe place. (Ps. 91; I John 2:15)
2. Love God and others like Christ would. I became very aware of how selfish my love for my Father and those around me has been. It's often determined by what's convenient for me. I know this is not a healthy or godly way to live, so I'm seeking to change it. (I Jn. 2:6; 3:11, 16, 18, 23)
3. Make better choices regarding food and movement (we're ignoring the word "exercise"). I honestly do not live a very healthy lifestyle. I struggle everyday with the drive to eat however much I want of whatever I want whenever I want it. I realized that this is abusing the body God gave me and it really affects how I feel (both physically and emotionally). I want to live a better life which means making better choices. (I Cor. 6:19-20)

It's a really, really great idea to open up and share these because, at the least, it makes you more conscious of when you aren't sticking to your resolutions (I'll talk a bit more about this in a second).

After you've written them down and shared them, BACK IT UP. Search Scripture for passages that reinforce the changes you want to make and the lessons you want to learn. I'm serious - it goes a long way to help you glorify God through those changes. Memorize those verses or at least put them in a visible place. Meditate on them daily and pray them out.

Now guys, I want you to be aware of something: You are human. You are not perfect. You will fail. I've already failed and it's only been 8 days! But you want to know what I'm learning? I'm learning that it's better to take the hand of Grace and ask God to pick you up, dust you off and help you start over. When those times come and you feel so discouraged and ready to give up, I want you to pray two Scripture verses:

"Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." Psalm 51:10 NIV

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 NIV; emphasis mine

God has been using these to teach me the power of His grace, the fact that His grace beats sin every time and He can give me a fresh start every day. Pray for the grace and strength to make good choices one day at a time. 

So what are your resolutions? Feel free to comment and I'll see you around. Until then,

Prayers and love!

Resolutions Part 1: Definition

Well, it's the New Year - 2015 is here. And what do we think of when a new year begins? New Year's Resolutions! Most of my life, I have not cared to make New Year's Resolutions. Well...That's not entirely true. I've made them, but I've never kept them. I mean, Resolutions are like rules, right? They're made to be broken. So I would make them with absolutely no intention of keeping them. 

 

Since this week is the first full week of the new year and it marks the beginning of my 2015 blog posts, I thought it fitting to write about New Year's Resolutions as I have actually made some that I intend to stick to. "What are they," you ask? All in good time, my dear reader. 

 

First I think it's a good idea to define this word, "Resolution." I think knowing the meaning of something is extremely helpful in the application process. I employed one of my favorite online resources to help us accomplish this goal: Dictionary.com (If you didn't know, I'm a word nerd. And unashamed). Dictionary.com defines a resolution as "a resolve; a decision or determination" and "the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose." These New Year's Resolutions that people make are meant to be enacted. They are born of determination and firmness of purpose.  

 

Now that we are all clear on the dictionary's definition of a resolution, let's look at it from a different perspective. Let's consider Resolutions as a Christ-follower might. What does the Bible have to say about this idea of New Year's Resolutions? As far as I know, nothing. It's not like Hezekiah 1:15 says, "Each year you must vow to change at least three things you hate about yourself. However, the chances are great that you will give up by the first day of the second month." There isn't even a book called Hezekiah!  

 

While Scripture doesn't overtly address yearly resolutions, it does make it clear that there ought to be a constant changing going on in the life of a Believer. We should consistently be resolving (see what I did there?) to be more like Christ. I John 2:6 explicitly says, "Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did." (NIV) I also like how The Message puts it: "Anyone who claims intimacy with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus." And The Amplified really brings it home: "Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself." I don't think it could be presented more clearly than that. If you call yourself a Christian your lifestyle ought to look like Christ's. 

 

So here's a quick recap: a resolution as defined by the dictionary is "a resolve; a decision or determination; firmness of purpose." And as defined by Scripture a resolution is a decision to live like Christ. I definitely think that the dictionary definition can be useful when it comes to putting the Scriptural definition into practice. 

 

I want you to be giving some serious and prayerful thought to anything in your life that doesn't measure up to the example of Christ. Maybe there's a lesson you know He's been wanting to teach you for a while, but you've run away from it. Maybe there's just some area in your life - like loving others - that could use some work. Talk it over with God, see what He wants to change in you, and then resolve to make that change. Very soon, I'll be publishing a follow-up post about the application of resolutions (including the release of my personal goals for the year). Until then,

  

Prayers and Love!