Tag: faith

en-cour-age

Have you ever hit a slump?A time in your life when you just feel stuck? Unable to move forward and make progress? Everything seems to be on a constant repeat and you begin to get burned out. You want change, something new and different, but to be honest, change scares you a bit. Sometimes, even quite a bit. You begin to overthink what it is that you want to change. What if this change isn’t good? What if you should just keep the status quo? Just keep pressing on through this slump until it gets better and doesn’t feel so mundane and routine?

We all go through times of slumping. It doesn’t mean we are failures, just stuck. What we need is direction and encouragement. When I looked up encouragement through an online dictionary (part of my research for this blog), I was surprised by the definition: to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope (Webster’s).

I admit, this wasn’t what I thought about with the word to encourage. I guess I have used it so much that I believed it meant to cheer someone on, or cheer them up. I realize I missed a very important part of the meaning, even though it was right in front of me the whole time: COURAGE.

It now made sense. When I need encouragement to get out of a slump, what I am actually needing is courage to face my fears of making changes. Inspire to courage. It isn’t easy to realize that my slumping might be caused by fear. And more importantly, what I need is someone to inspire me to have the courage I need to change. It’s more than just cheering me up, its inspiring to have courage, to be brave, face fears.

When we are afraid, we need to be reminded that God is with us. He encourages through His Word and sends others to encourage us. One of my favorite encouragement verses in the Bible is from the Book of Joshua in the Old Testament.

Be strong and courageous: Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

This verse is actually hanging in my office, and I look at it daily. But I still forget to make this verse personal and take it to heart. I see it so often, that it becomes just another verse. But not today. Today I began to see it with fresh eyes. I was reminded that discouragement isn’t about sadness, but about being afraid. Joshua had big shoes to fill in following Moses’ leadership. The people were difficult to lead. There would be battles ahead. There would decisions to be made, affecting thousands of people. Moses had led the people out of Egypt, but even he sinned and wouldn’t be able to enter the Promised Land. He would die before seeing it. I wonder how scared Joshua was with the daunting task ahead of him? He had been very positive as one of the only two spies to return with good news of a land flowing with milk and honey.

But God still saw Joshua’s need for courage. To face the fears associated with this big assignment he had been given by God. I am so thankful that this verse is here to read in 2023. It encourages us now, as we also need to face fears of changes. Maybe God sends slumps, so we will seek Him out and ask for the strength we need to face the fear of change. He stirs up our lives to keep us from refusing to accept change. He supports us in moving forward in our faith journey. Life keeps moving forward and we move along with it. We just need to be inspired to have courage and hope. Let this be your dose of encouragement for today. – God Bless- Nancy

Fair Enough?

“That’s not fair!” “Why did I get in trouble?”, “It’s not MY fault!” “But I was here first!” Do any of these phrases sound familiar? Do remember when you were a kid and saying these? Or maybe it was just last week! I KNOW I have uttered any one of these at least once during adulthood.

It seems this sense of right, wrong and fairness never leave us, even as adults. We want what is right. We want our fair share of things. We want equity and we don’t like being treated unfairly or to be singled out for punishment or left out of rewards and benefits.

Have you ever considered whether or not equity and fairness apply to your faith walk? Is God fair? Does He treat everyone the same? Before you quickly answer, consider for a moment what you believe about fairness and goodness. Do you think that you are a good person? When you compare yourself with others, do you see yourself as equal to or even slightly better? Do you compare yourself with other believers, or even your family members? Are quickly to point out their shortcomings and place yourself at a higher ranking, spiritually or morally?

Maybe you don’t call yourself a Christian, but more of an agnostic or spiritual person. You kinda believe there is something or someone bigger than this world who kinda controls it all. A big something, that judges us all for what we do, good or bad. So, you rate yourself as pretty good. You try to do good things to other people. You give to charity and volunteer to walks to raise money. You see yourself as a rescuer of the bad stuff in the world, like breast cancer, alzheimers, children in trafficking, drunk drivers, global warming, pollution, pet population control, pet rescue, the world hunger and clean water shortages.. You do your part, and it is good, but you pat yourself on the back, believing that all this good, will actually ‘make’ you a good person, worthy of good karma or what ever you might believe is out there.

But, is this enough to outweigh the bad, or not so good stuff you did when you were a younger, maybe not wise yet, self? None of us are perfect. Sometimes we don’t think we deserve any unfairness. But, what if we do? What if we all are guilty of bad behavior, that we want to forget about? Somehow believing that some great scale in the universe will work it all out. So, what would this scale look like?

Would it automatically discount all the good works, say if you did something really bad, like murdered someone? Or stole? or told a lie? Who or what would set the standard? Would it be the same for everyone? Ah, the fairness word comes back in.

What would be fair? Is there a scale of giving to charity? A threshold for money or time given to a cause? Does the cause count? Does it have to benefit others? Who would decide what is beneficial to all? Does it matter what you believe would benefit others yourself, or could there be a global good that must be met in this threshold of giving?

If you are a Christ follower, does this threshold mean giving to the church of your time and money? Is it like a point system, like a number line that propels you forward for good works done for Jesus, but telling a lie would send you back done the points number line?

It might sound like this scale is a bad theory to you. Which, thankfully, it is. There is a scale of fairness, and rightness, and goodness. And it is set by a greater being than we, mere humans. It is set by God. And we all fall way short of His standard. WAY SHORT. It’s pretty much impossible. Except we can meet this standard, but only through Jesus. It is fair and equitable. And it is not based upon our efforts or giving to charity. Good works will never help us meet this standard. Only faith in Jesus.

One standard, one requirement, for all people. Faith in Jesus as savior. Pursuing works will never help us meet the standards of God. How much would we need to do? What would count as good? The Bible says only God is good. We might not think God is fair, but He offers this plan for all who choose to believe Him at His word. He shows us mercy and grace. He doesn’t leave us doubting about the future. Our future, after we die. We aren’t rolling the dice, wondering if karma has decided our fate.

We can know for sure our future is settled when we hold to the belief, all the bad stuff we have done has been wiped off our record, and replaced with God’s payment in full for good works, not OUR good works, but Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection. To me, that is MORE than fair enough. -God Bless- Nancy

But now a righteousness from God, apart from the law has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. -Romans 3:21-24, NIV.

Believing Is Seeing

I recently ran across an article from 2019, that investigated the claims of a young man that was suing his father. The young man had been in a terrible car accident that nearly killed him, At the time of the accident, the boy was quite young, and his parents were approached to write a book about his miraculous recovery, a recovery that claimed the young boy had died, went to Heaven and repeatedly had visions of angels. Sadly, the boy’s parents divorced and now the young man lives with his mom. Both are suing the father for allegedly fabricating the entire story for his own financial benefit. When interviewed the father denied any fabrication and insists that God knows what happened and that there is no need for him to defend himself over his actions.

What saddened me the most about the article is that the publisher, Tyndale House, took the book out of print out of fear, when the son and mom denied the events happened and it couldn’t be backed up theologically by the publisher’s experts. The theologians said it simply couldn’t have happened as portrayed in the story. Hmm, Is that true? It makes me wonder. We consider God as unchanging in His nature. The bible speaks clearly to this matter, yet, we as humans try to keep God contained in a small package. A package that lists what God can and cannot do. We assume that God in our modern time frame does not do miracles, show up in a burning bush, or tell people to build arks in the desert anymore. In the past He used hands to write on walls, spoke through donkeys and healed people. But what about now? In 2023?

So, is it not possible that God still does these sorts of things? Do we really think that we are the ones who have outgrown a God who does the impossible? Has God retired from the miraculous and impossible? Must we follow the theological interpretations of a select few? Yes, of course I believe in proper theological exegetic of Bible passages, but notice I mention proper. Too many people call themselves experts, but fail to understand context. They believe that God’s work that cannot be explained must be negated. They don’t trust experiential evidence of faith encounters. Why? because they cannot explain them. And because they cannot explain them, they put themselves at risk of being questioned over their expertise and mastery of the Bible. So, it is easier to dismiss, rather than believe.

So, what do you think? Does God still perform miracles? Does He still call people through extraordinary ways? Do people visit Heaven and come back, after being resuscitated? Do people see angels? Do people see Jesus? If they should is that a bad thing? After all, Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, told the others, that he couldn’t believe in a resurrection without seeing Jesus first hand. And if you know the story, Jesus gladly showed Thomas His scars and let Him touch them. To see if it was all true. Maybe some people need to see to believe a bit better. Maybe for some faith is not blind, but based upon seeing what they believe.

I suspect, that if the truth comes out about the bitter divorce from the article I read, the son is protecting his mom and the mom is simply bitter for being left by her husband. Tragic events, such as the accident that was the result of the father behind the wheel, might have led to a mom’s bitterness. That bitterness can become rooted and grown into resentment. A resentment that the son grew up around and began to change his perspective of his father. What should have been an amazing story of God’s interaction with a child who was injured, led to finger pointing and a broken family. And that is the real tragedy. God Bless, Nancy

Still Counting

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds– James 1:2, NIV

So, maybe if you are like me, there are a few Bible verses that I know and have memorized, but which give the most difficulty to follow. Like the one above from the Book of James. I first memorized the verse as “Count it all joy” I like the word consider better. But still. I really struggle to consider any type of trial as a reason for joy. James tells us why we should as he continues in verse 3; “because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.…” Okay. I get it. Our modern version of the verse might read, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. That part I understand. We go through trials and struggles and we get stronger. But counting it s joy is my struggle.

Another version of James 1 reads”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.”( NKJ) It always seems as if we are falling into trials. It is not something we desire, it just happens. And the word fall describes how I feel sometimes; like I am losing my footing; my security and falling into misery and a stress out state. It is difficult to feel joy when you are completely stressed out and anxious.

Struggles hit us all. Trials, as James writes. He knew then as we know now- human nature and its struggles hasn’t changed much- life is full of trials, struggles, and difficulties. We all could come up with a fairly long list of the stuff we have had to deal with in our lives. We surely can count those. But joy? I need to be deliberate about that one. Can I really count them and place them under the heading of “joy”?

But, what James was getting at is the opportunity that these struggles give us to draw closer to God. We are probably more drawn to prayer when we have problems we want help with. We get overwhelmed and cry out to God. As we call out to Him, we are placing more of our trust and faith in Him. We realize our struggles are more than we can bear on our own. When life is going well for us, we forget how much of that is not our own doing, but the grace of God. But, trials and struggles can be God’s grace as well if it draws us closer to Him. He desires this close relationship with us and wants to grow us into the people He created us to be; stronger when we are leaning on Him and fully focused on Him, and not on ourselves.

Trials and struggles will come and go in this life, and over the years I can look back and realize that during the most difficult times in my life are the times when I spent more time reading the Bible and praying and letting God grow and stretch my faith. We cannot escape the difficulties of this life, there is no way to avoid them. So for now I will keep trying to count them as joy, even when I don’t understand the joy yet. -God Bless You- Nancy

God’s Move

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.– Paul to the Galatians, (Gal. 6:9, NIV)

So, I’m not that great a waiter. No, not the kind that serves hungry people at restaurants, but a wait-er. A person who waits on God to make the next move. You might call it patience. I kinda run short on it. I can be short sighted at times and start to convince myself, that any current situation I might find myself in is taking way to long to do one of two things: change, or resolve.

I might be waiting on finding a full-time job, resolution from a financial issue, or healing for myself, or a loved one. If you’re like me you can probably fill in your own thing you are waiting for; I am waiting on God to __________, in my life. You might keep asking God to either change or resolve your current situation. And you wait. And you do what you can to change your circumstances. But then you wait. And wait some more. After you realize that you have exhausted every chance to change or resolve your issue, you turn to God and wait.

Last week, I learned a valuable lesson on waiting. You see, after awhile of following this pattern : 1)ask, 2)wait,3) try it on my own, 4) resign back to waiting on God’s move, I finally understood, that I really do not understand God’s timing or His ways at all. He might move quickly, or very slowly. It is all up to Him, not me.

So, how did I learn to just wait?I was stuck waiting for a bus at a popular amusement park. (the kind that run between hotels and the park) And I wasn’t alone waiting for this particular bus, but rather accompanied by about fifty other weary park visitors.

When my husband and I walked towards the bus stop, I quickly realized that there must be a problem with the bus. I had been to this particular stop before and knew the route. It should be a quick ten to twenty minute wait with usually a handful of others waiting for the bus. It was a continuous looping route every twenty minutes.

But, with the 50 plus people trying to cram into the stopping area, I knew something was wrong, and we would be waiting for awhile. As we approached the stop and find a place to stand, I noticed a woman on her cell phone. She was calling whoever was in charge of the buses and complaining about the delay. She ended her call and turned to me to let me know that she had requested two buses be sent. I didn’t know her, but she felt the need to confide in me of her actions, so I nodded my head as I listened to her complaints. I realized she wasn’t very happy (although it was supposed to be the happiest place on earth!) with the situation as she kept talking to those around her and voicing her displeasure with the bus company.

I saw a bus finally approach and the crowd began to push together like a swarm of bees around a new hive. My husband and I decided to stay back and wait for the next bus as common sense told us it would be impossible to fit everyone in the small bus. I also noticed the security guard from the amusement park quietly walk in front of the bus and call from his cell phone.

It was quite the scene as the impatient horde of bees tried to push and squeeze their way into the bus. A few had to step off the bus, because there was simply no room at the inn, or the bus, that is.

I watched as the over filled bus pulled out from the space, drove past us and I prepared myself to wait. Though my feet were tired, I looked around and saw others who were tired as well, but they, like us had stayed back, to wait for another bus. And to our surprise, the second bus, pulled right in behind the first. Amazing.

Now there were only about eight of us, for some had given up waiting at the stop, once they saw the bus fill up. None of us could see the second bus approaching, being hidden by the crowd and the first bus. We all gave a cheer and boarded the spacious bus. All eight of us. We made it quickly back to the hotel and pulled in front of the first bus, that was still unloading the swarm of people. We actually went through the entrance of the hotel, before many of those on the first bus.

Amazing. I wouldn’t have thought the second bus would get us to the hotel first. It wasn’t logical. It didn’t make sense. But that’s what God showed me. That sometimes we try to make our circumstances change, like the lady on the phone. It’s true she did call for another bus, but I wonder if it wasn’t really the security gentleman on his phone that moved the bus along. I also believe maybe he was aware of the disgruntled passengers and was there just in case it got out of hand.

The woman with the phone got lost in the crowd, but I think she got on that first crowded bus. She was probably happy with herself for calling in and complaining as she rode the crowded bus to the hotel. But I wondered if she was still on that bus as I walked into the hotel, past the still full bus.

I’ve been like that woman. Trying to fix the wrongs of the world, making things happen on my own, in my own strength, in my own timing, believing that I was getting somewhere, when in reality I was actually slowing my progress.

I have waited patiently before, and given up on waiting, like the people who walked away from the bus stop when they saw the first bus full. It’s not coming, so I’m going somewhere else. Patience is a virtue they say. I say patience is rewarded. God will move.

We can’t see His ways sometimes, as we are too focused on our own solutions to our problems and situations. We grab the first bus, because we don’t believe another one is coming. But, then, there it is, just behind the first. It isn’t always like that to be sure. It might take years, not a few minutes, like in my bus story.

That’s the main point to remember, we can’t see our circumstances as God sees them. Waiting on God’s move is hard. But, when He shows up, it’s amazing. There’s no struggle, no pushing, or shoving, it’s not standing room only, but a seat by a window. – God Bless You, Nancy

When Should We Pray?

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3, NIV).

When should we pray? That might sound like a simple question with a simple answer, but if you have ever struggled to figure it out, then read on.

Most people, whether faith people or not, would probably answer the question like this; “When someone is sick, or when I need to make a big decision.” Just as some kind of good luck charm. So, we better ask for prayer in case there is really some cosmic power that can alter the events we find ourselves (or others we care about) are in. And of course those of us who are faith people and hold onto tightly and unswerving to our faith in God, knowing He does exist, would answer the question; “always”.

But, what I am really trying to find the answer to, is when, personally, should we pray? Is there really a better time to come before God with our thanksgiving and requests? Is there a better time of day to pray? Or read God’s Word?

I pose the above question because I have been struggling with it myself. And not because I do not want to, or because I believe it is unimportant (it is not unimportant!). On the contrary, it is because I know it is important, that I am struggling in the first place.

Here’s the deal; my husband recently changed shifts at his work. It has had a rippling effect on my schedule, and in particular, my devo time. (Devotional time- i.e. reading my Bible, praying, and reading a short devotional book).

I used to have a few uninterrupted minutes to read, reflect and pray as my day begun- always after my coffee though; I need my coffee before I come before the throne of God. It was a good time of day for me to focus and present all of my cares and concerns before God and lay them at His feet. The devotional book brought my worries and anxiety down as I listened to the gifted writing of a fellow minister of the Gospel.

I traded this time of quiet and pause for something as equally great; a chance to sit down at breakfast with my husband and talk before the toll of a long day at work stole the best of conversations. We found ourselves talking, eating and planning the day’s errands and chores. Before I knew it, the time had flown by and with it my devo time.

So, after all my work was done and I was completely tired from a long day, I tried to read and pray at night before I fell asleep. Let me tell you that midnight is not the best time to pray for me. But, I am sure Jesus knew what I meant as I fell asleep- note to self, avoid praying while laying down!

I also felt a bit of guilt for not praying for others earlier in the day. I wondered if my lack of interceding for them had an effect. But, I quickly corrected myself when I realized it wasn’t all up to me, but in God’s hands anyway. But, still, I felt kinda bad for falling asleep while reading the Bible and praying.

So, I am trying to be more intentional in the mornings, now that I realize how much I missed praying and reading in the morning. As much as I want to spend time with my husband and enjoy this season of second shift, I need to make time for myself; for my own spiritual growth.

Maybe you can relate to this, especially if you have children at home. There is hardly moments of peace and quiet. But, I have been there too, and I remember the struggle is real. Hang in there! Remember it is a season and it will be over before you know it. When our children started school I really found a new sense of freedom as I could pray out loud in the empty house.

And that also reminds me of a recent conversation with my brother in law and he shared about his own prayer time; while driving his truck. I had to agree with him, as I too find drive time to be one of the best times to be alone with God and pray. It might seem that it would be a distraction with all the traffic, but I have found I feel free to raise my voice and share all my concerns with God, in my private car space. Are you with me?

Whatever the time that works best for you, just keep at it, not because its an item on a to do list, but because we need to present our requests before God, and also our thanksgiving. God cares and wants this communication with us. The time of day does not matter to Him. He is always there, waiting on us.

The length of time we read and pray does not matter either. It is not a competition with fellow believers. One minute or sixty minutes does not matter. Allowing God’s Word to settle into our hearts and minds, and giving our cares to God are what matters. We might only have a short time, or maybe it is all day long in little bites, but find the time to listen and to speak to God.

If you don’t know where to start, try Psalm 5. Break it into small paragraphs and let it settle. Think of one praise, or one thing you are thankful to God for. And one worry you can cast on Him. Find a quiet place- maybe your car, or maybe even lock yourself in the bathroom- heard that idea from a mom of toddlers! Make the time that works best for you. Anytime is best for God. He’s waiting.- God Bless you – Nancy

Keep Moving Forward

So, do you think God still speaks to us today? Or do you believe He just created the world, set the auto pilot, stepped back and let it run? Maybe, if you are like me at times, you begin to believe the latter. God seems to be silent. You pray and seek His answers to your requests. Maybe you ask for His direction. Or maybe for something you want desperately to happen- like a job, a healing, a home, a baby. Or maybe its for someone else. Maybe you just want to know if He is there and listening. But, it seems as if Heaven has shut you out.

If you are persistent, you keep on asking. I mean, that’s in the Bible, right? Knock and keep on knocking, ask and keep on asking. In your mind you might think; “I will pester God enough that He will answer with what I want.” Instantly. Or at least in your idea of the right time. We start to recreate God into what we think He should be; our own cosmic Santa Claus, or magic genie in a bottle. Our personal wish giver, or personal shopper.

It seems to me that part of our problem is not whether God is listening and communicating with us, but our own impatience. We just want to rush and get things done. We hate being still and waiting.

The waiting and the silence are uncomfortable. Like a blind date, or first date that isn’t going well. The silence is awkward. We make up things to say. Trying to spark a conversation with the other person.

In our asking, knocking and seeking God’s answers we can start out asking the “If you will just…., then I promise to….. for you God” As the time drags on without a return reply, we even offer to up the ante with Him. “I promise God, I’ll go be a missionary, or give all my money away, just please, please give me this one thing.”

Waiting is difficult. I’ve been there. Praying for the healing of friends and family. Circumstances got worse, not better. I’ve doubted my own prayer “worthiness”. “Maybe God is upset with me” or even “Maybe I’m not praying right” To the dreaded comparison trap that wonders why others can hear from God, or get their requests answered and I don’t.

To be clear though, I have also been the one with the answered prayers for jobs, food, pregnancy, and a home. And healing. But being true to my own human nature, flawed as it is, I remember the silence more than the answers. Why is it we tend towards the negative anyway?

The reality of it all, is that God does speak to us, but we are too busy to observe the answers. Sometimes it is as simple as rainbow in the sky, a sign on a business, a rock in the shape of a heart, or a kind word from a friend. Or a scripture that jumped off the page of the Bible. Giving us a confirmation that God is still concerned with what concerns us.

Four years ago, the encouraging words from a college professor propelled (and challenged) me to begin a blog. A blog that was intended to help others through the difficulties and challenges of life as a Christian. Life keeps moving forward and we must work through it all. Having faith in Jesus does not shield us from pain, sorrow, stress, anxiety, difficulty, or grief. And it is not a guaranty of happiness and joy 24/7. It gives us hope that we are not alone. And that this life with all of its difficulty is only temporary. We have an eternity that will make this life and all its problems a distant memory someday.There is something more we were created for. Someone more we were created for. To love and be loved by. Forever.

I have heard many of your stories of how the blog has helped you and encouraged you. I am encouraged by the stories. God always knows the right topic for me to write. I hope my own struggles will encourage you to keep moving forward. We are in this all together. “And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” as the author of Hebrews reminds us. We encourage each other as we grow and go through difficulties that we can share with others. I am definitely a work in progress and I too struggle to wait to hear from God. But my struggles can encourage you that you are not alone.

But just like I hope the blog encourages you, I too get my encouragement from others blogs and podcasts. And God reminds me to keep writing to encourage you in your faith. Keep going on and do not give up. God is listening. He cares. He knows just what you need to hear from Him and He waits until we are paying attention enough to hear. Be still. Even for a moment and listen and watch. And read His word. Let Him speak to you in His own words. God Bless You – Nancy

Expecting Empanadas?

Are you looking for your empanada wrappers? If you are, I have your order. I’m sure you were disappointed when you received my chicken, carrots and cucumbers. Not what you were expecting from your grocery delivery. You were expecting your ice cream, cereal, milk and bread. And your empanada wrappers. Were you going to make them for your family?

To be honest, I was frustrated and tired when I opened the door and found the wrong grocery order. I had just returned from a long plane ride and was feeling jet lag. The last thing I wanted to deal with was the customer service department of the delivery service. But, I found myself calling the number, seeking my food and questioning what I was supposed to do with the wrong order, now melting on my front steps.

Two calls later and I was reassured that my money would be refunded and I could either keep the wrong food, or throw it away. Thankfully, it hadn’t melted too much and I brought the bags inside to inspect the mystery food. I didn’t know what to expect and it felt a little like Christmas, except I was opening someone else’s presents.

It felt so strange to open someone else’s order and find out what they had bought. There wasn’t a name or any address given, so I decided to make the most of what had randomly shown up at my door. If you have any empanada recipes let me know. I’ve never made them myself, so I’ll need to google a recipe.

Have you ever had this happen to you? Maybe it wasn’t an order for food, but maybe something else? We all have certain expectations that when they are not met, we are disappointed. We expect everything to happen in a certain way, at a certain time. But, then the appointed time passes and nothing. Or maybe its something as simple as getting in our car, or grabbing a bus or train, when we find our selves stuck. The train is broken down, or the bus, or our car suddenly won’t start, or there’s a flat tire.

I’m sure you have plenty of stories you could share of these missed expectations and delays. But, how do you deal with them? Can you find any humor in them? Can you see God’s handy work? Was your train or bus or plane delayed, saving you from an unseen tragedy? Can you make lemonade from life’s lemons? Or in my case, empanadas.

Perhaps, what happens after depends upon on our attitudes. Can we find the good in it all? Can we trust God with it all? Can we trust Him that in all of this life’s unmet expectations He has a clear plan? That maybe He knows what we need better than we do?

In the two weeks I was on my trip, God taught me quite a bit about my expectations. Two days into my trip and I received word that a friend had collapsed and was near death. I joined others in praying for her recovery and was brought back to thoughts of going through a similar situation with loved ones.

I expected to relax and rejoice on my trip, not find myself crying. Sadly, my friend passed, as had my loved one years before. For a moment life seemed out of control, and not making any sense. I had just received a message from this friend a day before I left. And now, in a quick turn of events, she was gone. I felt a twinge of regret that I hadn’t spent too much time with her. Our correspondence was mostly through social media.

I know it will be difficult on her family. Grief isn’t easy and it is a journey to go through. A journey, that as I get older, happens more frequently as older relatives are passing away. But when it happens to someone young, it is completely unexpected. My friend was young. If anything hopeful that has come from her death is all the stories her friends have told of her encouragement. She would often share her faith and specific Bible verses to her close friends. I wasn’t in the group of her closest friends, but it was encouraging to hear of her kindness and generosity. And her faith.

I realized that my expectations of life, what constitutes a long life, and what is fair or not fair in this life, are skewed. I cannot understand the big picture, the way God see it. I was reminded of a verse from Isaiah; ““For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD” (Is. 55:8, NIV). We don’t always understand why our expectations aren’t met. Our expectations reflect our own limited view of life.

It took a wrong order to help me understand that there will be many times when my expectations are not met. My view of life is limited; God’s is infinite. His perspective is perfect. I wanted my needs met, but God knew what I needed- a wrong order that reminded me that I am not in control of it all and I do not always understand, but I can trust Him. – God Bless- Nancy

Trust First

So, I’d like to think that I am a trusting kind of person. I admit there have been times that I can be overly cautious around some groups of people or individuals. But I also have made the mistake of trusting in others too much and have been hurt.

But I wonder if that has affected my ability to trust God. I know you might be thinking “Wait, like trusting God should come easy for a believer” And I agree with you; it should. But can you actually admit that sometimes you might struggle with trust?

What I mean is that we all have at one time or another told God that we had the best way to go. We asked bold prayers for God to answer, in our way of course. Not necessarily in God’s way, or in His timing. And we were probably let down. We struggled to understand why our heartfelt, fervent prayer wasn’t answered. At least not in the way we had expected.

I have also found that when I am seeking to understand and find answers to the whys in my life, God always challenges me with the same Bible verse. Does this happen to you? Or is it just me? There a couple of verses that just seem to bring out guilt. Actually, its more of conviction from the Holy Spirit than guilt. But, it troubles me, none the less.

One of the verses is Proverbs 3: 5 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart
  And do not lean on your own understanding.” (NIV) It seems pretty straightforward. Except I always feel bad for the second part- leaning not on my understanding. I know I do that more than I should. I am a person who tries to figure out everything. And plan everything out.

But, quite often I will find whenever I am seeking God for direction in decision making, this verse will pop up. It might be from a daily devotional, or from a sermon, or just the verse of the day sent to my e-mail address. And it trips me up. I begin the question which understanding is mine and which is God’s. Which way should I go? Am I trying to figure it out on my own?

Well, this week it happened again and once again, my favorite verse came up. Except this time I began to look at it differently and wonder if God was trying to tell me something other than to not lean on my own understanding. Maybe I had been thinking of this verse all wrong.

Maybe I should break it into two parts. First, trust in the Lord, than not lean on my own understanding. I was trying to avoiding leaning without doing the trusting first.

It was if a light bulb went off in my mind, and I understood. I needed to focus on the trust. And I have to ask myself, “Am I really trusting God in this situation?” Or am I trying to figure it all out?

It is similar to following a recipe. If you are a baker or cook, than you know that there is a list of ingredients first, than the directions for assembling the dish. If you randomly combine the ingredients, the recipe won’t work. You have to follow each step in the order listed.

So, in my case with Proverbs 3:5, I was trying to jump ahead and focus on not leaning first- something like jumping ahead on a recipe. So, I struggled with the verse, and felt bad, for not being able to avoid my over thinking.

It sounds simple, but consider whether God has been speaking to you through a particular verse. Does it have different parts to the verse? Try focusing on the individual parts and consider the meaning.

In my case, I am trying to focus on the trust part, knowing that God has my best, that is HIS best interest at heart, for me. I am not God and only have a limited ability to understand what lies ahead for my life. There is so much out of my control. So, first things first; trust. Than the more I learn to trust Him, the less likely I will panic and over think everything. God Bless -Nancy