FRIEND. How are you doing? No, like really. How are you doing? I hope you can say “well”, but I understand if you just don’t feel like saying that right now. Reality is, this time of quarantine is a lot longer and crazier than I know most of us expected it to be, and we are only getting started. It’s a little overwhelming to think I have not REALLY been out or had normal life in over a month. Between the hospital and COVID… I have had a lot of time to sit at home. It doesn’t take long in the middle of a crisis to start questioning God. How is God good if people are dying and sick? How is God in control… but He hasn’t put an end to this madness?
Yesterday, I had to go to a baby appointment without my son or husband due to the virus. It was the one I had envisioned being really special for us – the ultrasound where Knox would see his brother on the big tv. But… instead, I walked in with a stranger and cried happy tears as I recorded it all for my boys to see when I got home. Small in the grand scheme of things… still a disappointment to what I had pictured for this season. But the good news: Baby R is perfect. He is healthy and measuring exactly to his due date. We are grateful for a healthy baby boy who is no longer breech and loves to move and groove in momma’s belly.
Here’s what I have learned as I have navigated a season of what has seemed like one disappointment after another: God’s character is NOT defined by how I feel. The quickest way to lose hope is to define Hope by our emotions or feelings about a situation. Likewise, the quickest way to experience peace is to look UP – to things unseen- and remind ourselves this is not our home, our hope is not found in things that will hurt or disappoint us, and God IS making all things work together for our good.
It’s that simple. So, I wanted to share with y’all a talk I did with our ladies at my church on Facebook Live a couple days ago. It’s real simple: Know what scripture says about who God is. And any moment you start to question it, remember these truths.
FACT: The character of god doesn’t change, no matter how quickly things change around you or how out of control things may seem.
The quickest way to control our emotions when things feel out of control is to remember who GOD says He is… not how we FEEL He is
God is always..
1. Good
The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works. Psalm 145:9
The MSG translation says “God is good to one and all; everything he does is suffused with grace.”
2. In Charge
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and FOR him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16–17
3. Redeemer
Christ has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you. Galatians 5:1 The MSG
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does. 1 Peter 5: 8-11 (The MSG)
4. Healer
This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step. He never did one thing wrong. Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing! You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls. 1 Peter 2:21-25 (The MSG)
5. The Hope Giver
If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
But those who hope in the lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
6. Promise keeper
The entire covenant and promises fulfilled through our the Old Testament into the birth of Jesus. … God is THE promise keeper. My devotional, The Best Gift Ever, breaks a lot of this down into simple truths. ????????
God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change his mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it? Numbers 23:19
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and WILL NOT delay. Habakkuk 2:3
7. Gracious
And my God will meet ALL your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
WHATEVER you ask for in prayer, believe you have received it and it will be yours. Mark 11:24
8. Peace giver
You keep them in perfect peace those whose mind is stayed on you, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
The Lord will fight for you- you need only be still (silent depending on which translation) Exodus 14:14
9. Unchanging
But you are the same, and your years will not come to an end. Psalm 102:27
10. Joy
Do not grieve. The joy of the Lord is my strength. Nehemiah 8:10
Side note: STRENGTH means protection/refuge. Because God doesn’t change- our joy is secure in what he’s ALREADY DONE and what His promises say!
11. Provider
They all wait for you to give them their food in due season. You give them, then they gather it up. You open your hand and they are satisfied with good. Psalm 104: 27-28
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26
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