trust

The Waiting

In my blog post, Personal Blessings, I shared how my husband and I have wanted to move back to Tennessee for several years, but we were hesitant to leave our youngest daughter in New Mexico. We believe that God opened the door six weeks ago for our move, when our daughter stated she was ready. Now that we’ve decided to relocate, I don’t enjoy the waiting. I want to hurry back to where the rest of our family lives so we can be together again.

We’d heard stories of offers accepted within ten days when we put our house on the market here in New Mexico three weeks ago. And while the market in middle Tennessee is hot, and they list homes one day and receive an offer within two, we hoped for similar results here. But God has a different plan for us.

After I sent a text to my children in Tennessee expressing my discouragement, I realized I sent that message without forethought. I’d experienced disappointment, not discouragement. I know God is working His plan, and His timing is better than mine. Maybe the home the Lord has for us in Tennessee isn’t available yet. The best thing for me to do is wait and trust.

At the start of 2020, I selected Philippians 4:6 as my verse for the year. I’ve referred to it often.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Verse 7 states the benefit of not worrying but praying instead.

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The word I selected for 2020 was “trust.” Fits in with my verse, doesn’t it? And appropriate for this year with several travel plans canceled because of COVID-19 and living life outside of any normalcy for the past seven months. Trusting God is the only way to endure these crazy times.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

I find peace by seeking God’s guidance through prayer and thanksgiving instead of worrying about tomorrow. My focus is on Christ, and I choose to trust Him.

Disappointed, but filled with peace. That’s a good place to be and where I find myself today during the waiting.

What are you trusting and waiting for today?

All scripture references are from the New International Version.

Photo by Anvesh Uppunuthula - Unsplash.

Search Me

One morning this past week, during my quiet time with the Lord, I read John 2:24-25 from the New Living Translation (NLT). When I study the Word, I usually use the New King James Version. But I enjoy the NLT for reading because I sense the Lord speaking to me personally.

But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people.
No one needed to tell him about human nature,
for he knew what was in each person’s heart.
John 2:24-25, NLT

“Jesus didn’t trust them,” and “he knew what was in each person’s heart,” moved me to tears. I turned to Psalm 139:23-24 and made these two verses my prayer.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.
Psalm 139:23-24, NLT

While I focused on these verses, I thought of common problem areas many of us battle such as anxiety, doubt, insecurity, pride, and selfishness. If you’re like me, you may struggle in one or more of these at times. Let’s look at what God’s Word says about each of these sins. I hope you’ll take time to review these verses for yourself. I’ll summarize them here.

Anxiety—Proverbs 3:5-6 is a familiar part of Scripture. We are to trust in the Lord and not depend on our understanding. When we seek His will, He will guide us to the right path.

Doubt—The verse mentioned above applies to doubt too. But we can also look to Romans 10:17. Our faith grows from hearing the Good News about Christ. The more we get into the Word of God, meditate on it, and follow it, the less doubt we’ll battle.

Insecurity—A great verse here is Galatians 2:20. Jesus died for us and now He lives in us. When we trust in Him, we understand who we are in Christ and how much He loves us. If He is always with us, why do we feel unqualified or uncertain?

Pride—Here’s a verse that can put us in our place. Galatians 6:3 tells us not to think too highly of ourselves. We aren’t all that important.

Selfishness—Philippians 2:3-4 makes this clear by telling us not to be selfish, but to think of others as better than ourselves. Do we follow Jesus’s example by taking an interest in people around us and what they need and want?

Are any of these problem areas for you? My hope is that you will pray, ask the Lord to search your heart, and ask Him to show you anything that offends Him, so you can follow His lead.

O God, You know what’s in my heart. You know everything about me. Search me, Lord, and show me, convict me Holy Spirit, of all that’s within me that offends You. When I try to walk alone or go my own wayward way, help me instead to follow Your leading and go forward in faith in You. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Hope in a Time of Crisis

Where can we find hope? There’s no better place to find what we need during this time of crisis than the Word of God. I believe the verses below speak of the promises we have in knowing our Lord, and they also offer us comfort.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

(Psalm 130:5 NLT)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13 NLT)

Confident expectation is the Biblical definition of hope as we look to God’s promises in His Word. During these difficult times, we can rest in the assurance of His love and His coming.

With God’s Word and Christ in us, we can rest in hope and dwell in peace. The Lord’s got this—whatever “this” is for us—the virus, other health concerns, a family situation, our job, and our finances. Trust Him.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

(Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

God’s Word doesn’t hide the fact that we’ll endure struggles, but these difficulties help us grow stronger in character and reinforce our hope of salvation.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

(Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

In two of the verses above, we see the role of the Holy Spirit equipping us with power. This gives us confidence and fills our hearts with God’s love. In addition, the Holy Spirit indwells, guides, and intercedes for us, and He is our comforter. Trust Him to hold you during this time of crisis, guide you through God’s Word, and intercede on your behalf as you pray and seek the Lord.

Father, I thank You for Your Word and for the rest and hope we find there. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit working in us as we trust in You and as you fill us with joy and peace. Lord I ask for Your protection over us, and for those who are sick, I pray for healing. Bless the lonely, the anxious, and those who feel forgotten during this time of crisis and may they find comfort in knowing You love them. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

I’m praying for God’s blessings upon you. Stay safe and well!

Photo by Toimetaja Tolkeburoo - Unsplash

What is Your Word for 2020?

Last year’s New Year’s resolutions revolved around a healthier lifestyle for me. I focused on weight loss, more steps per day, increased sleep time, and stress reduction. I improved in each area but only reached my weight loss goal. I plan to continue to work on the other healthy habits in 2020.

Although stress reduction last year included laughing with friends, in last week’s blog I mentioned that my resolution for 2020 was to laugh more. I believe laughter is a great way to unwind throughout the day.

In the past month, I’ve read several blog posts encouraging readers to select a theme word or phrase as an alternative to a New Year’s resolution. Some writers also suggest a scripture verse for the year. A great idea. I’d like to share my word and verse with you.

My word is “trust.” I choose for 2020 to trust God more and the promises His Word holds for me. In Him to daily provide, guide, and protect me. To trust He will move on my behalf in His time and His way, as I wait on His will to be carried out in my life.

Why did I choose this word? According to Dictionary.com, trust means: to have confidence in; rely or depend on. Sometimes I feel that I need to be in control and try to fix things on my own, but I know that I need to rely upon God. I tend to be a worrier. But God’s Word tells me not to worry.

Philippians 4:6 (NLT) is my verse for 2020.

Don’t worry about anything; instead,
pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank him for all he has done.

Verse 7 tells us the benefit of trusting God. You will experience God’s peace.

When I’m caught up in a frenzy, filled with anxiety, or overwhelmed with my to-do-list, family dynamics, activities, travel, relationships, or writing, peace is a welcomed blessing. God knows what I need, and His peace calms the craziness in my life. I need His peace daily, therefore, I must trust Him in all things.

What is your Word for 2020? Please share in the comments below.

Photo by Aaron Burden - Unsplash

Let’s connect on Facebook and BookBub!