Hold On

Dear Friends,

One of the great privileges of being a pastor is that I get invited to walk with people through the ups and downs of their lives. That means I often get to be included in wonderful events like baptisms, weddings, and baby dedications. But at the same time, I'm also around to help with tragedies, disappointments, and funerals. Such was the case today, as I talked with a woman from our church who is struggling because of all the challenging things going on in her life. The result is that she is feeling completely overwhelmed.

I totally understand where she's coming from, because over the years, I’ve also had times when the challenges of life felt overwhelming. But what I've learned in those times is that the best thing to do is cling to what I know is true. In the midst of difficult things, the enemy likes to lie to us about the One we've put our trust in - God. So going back to what we know is true will help us navigate through the difficult stuff, while at the same time, keep us from getting confused by Satan's lies.

So when things feel overwhelming, we need to remember truths, like the fact that God is still God. “I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God” (Isaiah 45:5) He never changes, and He is not surprised by anything happening in our lives. “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change is mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19) We also need to remember that He's still sovereign, and He still has a plan - a plan that's for our good. “”For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’”.

So today, no matter what's going on in our lives, let's cling to what we know is true. Let's allow the reality of God's nature and character to comfort us, guide us, and equip us to live for Him - in the midst of even the most difficult situations.

Amen?

Daniel