Have you ever become a victim to your emotions? I have. Many times our circumstances dictate our emotions and cause us to respond inappropriately. While our emotions toward our situation are not entirely wrong; they are just not entirely reliable. But God is.
Adversity, trials, and sufferings are God’s greatest tools for growing us spiritually. In His Word, we’re told to rejoice in all things no matter what our circumstance may be. Most of the time, that’s easier said than done. I think the reason is because we forget who our God is. We are focused on what our eyes can see instead of the unseen hand of God at work in our lives.
God uses our hardships to turn us vertically. He changes our view from horizontal and uses our suffering to cause us to look up at Him. If we really look at God, our circumstances will grow dim and joy will be ours as we learn to live above our situation in complete trust and care of our heavenly Father.
Last week during a CT scan, the doctor discovered a mass in my colon. This week, I’m having a colonoscopy in order to determine what the mass is. By nature, I’m not one to worry until there is something to worry about. However, I can’t help wonder about the “what if’s.” What if it’s cancer? What if I’ve come to the end of my days and my kids have to grow up without a mom? What if this trial is a test of faith? Will I make God look good? Can He trust me to glorify His name and by faith say as Job did, “Though you slay me, I will trust you?” Will my life say to others, “no matter what, I’m for God.” I hope so.
God’s grace is always sufficient. He is enough for whatever I face. Recalling God’s faithfulness in my past helps me trust Him in the present. Like David, Habakkuk and many others, I stir my faith in God by remembering those past victories. David was able to face and slay the giant because he remembered God’s faithfulness in his past battles. Habakkuk, as he prayed about his situation, remember God’s history with the Israelite children. Remembering our past victories reminds us of just our big and able our God is to rescue us. It offers strength, hope and the faith we need to endure.
Still, in our human nature, we fear. But as children of God, we must remember how the righteous live. They live by faith. So I’m learning to say in my circumstances, “God, this is not what I want. It’s not what I planned for my life, but I’m choosing to trust you.”
I’m taking my eyes off the horizontal view and I’m looking vertically at my God. He is enough both now and always for whatever comes my way. While my emotions my trip me up from time to time along the way, still, I will trust Him.
Angela @ Refresh My Soul Blog says
I agree whole heartedly with the emotions! I am lifting you up in prayer! Keep your eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of your faith! You encourage me so much! Thanks for being so open, vulnerable, and real.
Much love to you!
Angela
LAUREN at Faith Fuel says
Micca,
“God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind”- May He give you sound, peaceful thinking during scary times, and a sound body- cleansed and whole.
ocean mommy says
I am lifting you to the Father as you go through this uncertain time of waiting.
Thank you for sharing this and being transparent about your concerns!
Anticipating HIM,
stephanie
(I found you at Angela-Refresh My Soul!)