Sometimes God seems far away
Have you noticed that even when we’ve made the decision to put our trust fully in God, there are still times when things go wrong and God seems far away? Remember the last time the storm rolled in and hit you head on. Maybe it was a frightening doctor’s report, a lost job, having to deal with a prodigal child, or marriage problems. We find ourselves caught in the storm’s wake and our faith begins to falter.
Sometimes we even begin to wonder if He really is still in control
In Hebrews 10:23, though, God tell us to hold unswervingly to our hope in Him. Why? Because God is always faithful. But while He will never let us down, He knows that we will face struggles in our lives and sometimes even struggle to maintain our hope.
The challenge is to trust in God’s promises to give us the strength we need for each day, and to guard our faith even when things go wrong and we can’t feel God’s presence. Our faith is not perfect. There will be doubts and questions, and Satan uses these questions to plant doubts in our minds. He wants fear to overcome us until we can’t see God’s presence in our lives.
Joshua believed God
In the first chapter of Joshua in the Old Testament, we see Joshua taking over the role as the leader of the Israelites. I’m sure that there were times when Joshua wondered what he was getting into. He’d seen the disobedience of the Israelites and their lack of faith despite the miraculous signs and wonders God had preformed before them. More than likely, Joshua had moments when his faith faltered, and yet he made the decision he wasn’t going to rely on his own strength and power.
We too must believe that God is in control
We too must believe that God is in control and that He will keep His promise and give us the strength we need for each day. This belief is not based on emotion. It is a conscious choice.
- Our God decides how many stars are in the sky, and He calls them by name.
- He causes the grass to grow and provides food for the ravens.
- He knows the number of hairs on our head.
- He knows our heart, our joys, and our pain.
- He cares for us.
- He promises that He will never leave or forsake us.
And that promise is for you.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. – Matthew 6:33-34
Lisa Harris and her family have spent over ten years living as missionaries in Mozambique where she writes romantic suspense, leads a women’s group, and runs a non-profit organization that works alongside their church-planting ministry to provide for people’s physical needs. When she’s not working she loves hanging out with her family, cooking different ethnic dishes, photography, and heading into the African bush on safari.
Thank you for your encouragement ♡