WHY vs. TRUST

It's often easy to say the right words, declaring your Trust in God and Jesus Christ. But when troubles come, (sickness, finances, loss, hurt) we often struggle to continue Trusting. The Trust is somehow replaced with, "WHY?"

We question, "If God loves us, how can He allow these things to happen to us? What lessons haven't we learned or have yet to learn? Why is He allowing these difficulties that seem unbearable, unimaginable in their weight and intensity?"

During these times, even though we're unable to know the reason behind it, one thing remains true, God is with you in the midst of it. He is the one you need to continue to cling to, Trust in and rely on to see you through it.

Wavering Trust leaves room for doubt to creep in; doubt moves to despair; despair leads to eventually taking matters into your own hands...thus telling God that you can handle things in your life better than He can.

God's timing may not be our timing. He may step in at the last possible moment, when you feel like you're being crushed. He may allow you to go through difficulties but show you His unending Love in the midst of it...carrying you Lovingly through each day. Moving you closer to His ultimate will and plan for your life. When the "Why's" begin to surface, spend some quiet time with God, just as Jesus did when He needed strength to finish His journey. His Love will encompass you, strengthening you, body, mind, and spirit...leading you to Trust in Him through the "Why's," knowing that He has you safely in the palm of His Hand. 

"My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, Lord, I will seek."

Psalm 27:8

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."

Psalm 27:14

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

Psalm 34:18

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped."

Psalm 27:7

"Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge a strong fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth."

Psalm 31:2-5

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

EXTRA PARTS

After all the kids are asleep, late one Christmas Eve, a husband and wife frantically work to assemble bikes, toys & electronics. The wife pleads with the husband to look at the instruction manual. It ultimately ends in a big fight as the husband declares he's done...while screws, pads and parts remain on the floor. To which the husband promptly replies, "Those are extra parts, in case something goes wrong." Which only leads to further arguing, the wife scouring the manual looking for where it says, 'EXTRA PARTS.'

Most of us avoid our daily life instruction manual. The words that will piece our life perfectly together, leaving no 'EXTRA PARTS,' just in case. God doesn't need a back up plan from you, or anyone else. His plan is perfect. He's assembled the instruction manual, THE BIBLE, to put you and your day together piece by piece, part by part, hour by hour, minute by minute. Enabling you to move efficiently through each trial, struggle and storm, well put together, sealed with His Strength, Wisdom and Love.

Read the Bible, God's instruction manual for your life each day. Continue in His Word and He'll set you free.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

John 8:31-32

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37-38

It's Time To Remove Your Training Wheels!

Remember when you learned how to ride a bike?

Running outside with you parents, jumping on the bike and pedaling, only to find the bike tilting toward the side, panic rising up as you realize you're about to fall. Suddenly, at just the right moment, the bike's training wheel stops you from toppling over. Feeling relief sweep over you…white knuckles loosening their grip on the handlebars, you begin to pedal faster. Gaining trust as the bike, teeter totter's, between the two back training wheels, while you remain upright.

When the time comes to finally remove the training wheels, fear creeps back in, unsure of whether you really care about becoming a "Big" boy or girl. But your parents gently coax you along, reassuring you that, "It's okay, we've got you." They run behind you, holding onto the back seat yelling, "Pedal faster!" Their secure grip, guiding, encouraging you to go on.  Before you know it, you look back and they're clapping for you, no longer holding on. You begin to wobble in doubt, maybe even falling because of fear. But you're able to get back up and try again, as your parents continue to lovingly persuade you. Eventually, you become secure in the knowledge that, you can do it!

In life, Heavenly Father is your parent. He is holding you up, and when you get too far away and fall, He picks you up, encouraging you to push on. Strengthening you with His Love. Reminding you that He is there, He is with you and you're not alone. Spend time with Him in that secret, quiet place; soaking in His Love through Scriptures and Prayer.

 Take off your training wheels. Let His Words propel you forward. Allow Him to cheer you on, as you race ahead of your circumstances, into His restoring Peace and Grace.

"If you can?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes." Immediately the boys father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" Mark 9:23-24 "He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Mark 9:29

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, "Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest." Mark 6:30

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

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."Mark 10:27   

After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Mark 6:46-50