No
matter what you are going through in life there is great comfort
in knowing God. You may not be able to physically see him, touch
him or hear his voice but if you truly know His ways you will be
able to get through anything life has to offer. So
do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your
God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10) This is the message
I have hidden in my heart that keeps repeating itself over and over
as the latest trial unfolds. You see, just when things are going
unbelievably well, countless blessings and prayers are being answered,
in comes the earth shattering news…. The Cancer is growing!
Nothing can prepare you for the initial shock and response that
comes from the depth of your soul. The How?... Why?... Why now?…What
can we do?
When
a loved one is looking mortality in the face, everyone goes through
all the doubts and fears and feelings of helplessness. Frustration
takes over because there just isn't anything "We" can
do to help except pray. But shouldn't prayer be our first thought
not our last result? The voice inside is screaming "where's
my faith!" If I really know God as I say I do then I should
believe He will take care of it, according to His will and in His
timing, I don't always understand His ways but I know He is Faithful!
Searching for what I know of God and the measure of my own faith
I am reminded that Faith is being sure
of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1).
Even though I may not always understand the why or see the good
in every situation, I put my trust in God to carry me through. I
stand on my relationship with Him and what I do know:
I
know He is always with me…
"I
will never leave you nor forsake you" (Joshua 1:5)
"When
you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass
through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk
through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set
you ablaze, For I am the Lord your God, the Holy one of Israel your
Savior." (Isaiah 43:2-3)
I
know He will carry me…
"Come
to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."(Matt
11:28)
I
know He will never give me more than I can handle…
"I
can do everything through Him who gives me strength" (Phil
4:13)
I
know He answers prayer…
"Therefore
I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have
received it, and it will be yours. (Mark 11:24)
I
know He knows me…
"Your
eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written
in your book before one of them came to be. (Psalms 139:16)
I
know He loves me…
"For
God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John
3:16)
I
know He has a plan for me…
"
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a
future." (Jeremiah 29:11)
I
know I belong to the Lord…
"If
we live we live to the Lord; and if we die we die to the Lord. So,
whether we live or we die we belong to the Lord" (Romans 14:8)
I
know that if I pray in faith He will answer…
"And
the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the
Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven"
(James 5:15)
I know He gives us his word that we might Know Him.
As
I pondered all that I know of God, I realized I could go on and
on and on. My spirits were immediately lifted. I do know God well
enough to believe I can put anything in his hands and not worry
for I know "He is faithful and He will do it!"
Faith
comes from knowing God and the measure of your faith will determine
your actions or reactions when put to the test. So if you're facing
a trial that seems more than you can bear, remember you do have
the choice to Know God in every situation.
I
found this passage in my devotional bible titled, "The Lord
will carry you" that puts into perspective a trial we are going
through.
"When
trials come your way, you have a choice. You can throw up your hands
in frustration, give in to self-pity and become mired in resentment
and defeat. Or, you can raise your hands to God in prayer, search
out alternatives, move ahead and ultimately trust the Lord to carry
you through."
You
may say, "It's impossible"
You may say, "I'm too tired"
You may say, "Nobody really loves me"
You may say, "I can't go on"
You may say, "I can't do it"
No,
maybe you can't, but the alternative is He can… if you know
Him.
Sherri
Hunter