It is much easier to give advice to others than to apply it to your own life, isn't it?
That is one reason why I haven't posted much lately. In the past, I've been quick to post what God has shown me, without giving myself time to incorporate the truth in my own life.
Take trust, for example. I wrote numerous devotionals on trusting God and knowing His hand upon your life, even through trials.
"Pain is a gift--embrace it!" I announced to whomever would listen.
Then, a few years ago, I just about went off the deep end when my life took a devastating turn, both financially and emotionally. I spent time wallowing in the dirt, moaning about how awful everything was (to anyone who would listen). And I did not like it when some of my own "wisdom" came back at me during that time.
I trusted in people and plans, and both let me down. But God never fails us. God is faithful. He never changes. In His Sovereignty, He is always in control. Trust is not a risk when it is placed in our Father.
Still, when times are hard it isn't easy to trust in a God we cannot see. Or feel.
I think David struggled with the same thing. In Psalm 9:1-2, he said:
I love these verses! David isn't saying, "O God I want to thank You, I want to praise You, I want to sing to You."
No, he is willing himself to do these things. Whatever he was going through was hard, but he knew the source of power and strength in his life was God.
David did what he knew he must, not what he felt like doing.
I think that's the key--trusting God has nothing to do with feelings. It has to do with the exercise of our faith, which says, "No matter how terrible this looks, no matter how fearful I am, no matter what tomorrow brings, God will be there and He is for me."
That is one reason why I haven't posted much lately. In the past, I've been quick to post what God has shown me, without giving myself time to incorporate the truth in my own life.
Take trust, for example. I wrote numerous devotionals on trusting God and knowing His hand upon your life, even through trials.
"Pain is a gift--embrace it!" I announced to whomever would listen.
Then, a few years ago, I just about went off the deep end when my life took a devastating turn, both financially and emotionally. I spent time wallowing in the dirt, moaning about how awful everything was (to anyone who would listen). And I did not like it when some of my own "wisdom" came back at me during that time.
I trusted in people and plans, and both let me down. But God never fails us. God is faithful. He never changes. In His Sovereignty, He is always in control. Trust is not a risk when it is placed in our Father.
Still, when times are hard it isn't easy to trust in a God we cannot see. Or feel.
I think David struggled with the same thing. In Psalm 9:1-2, he said:
I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart;
I will tell of all Your wonders.
I will be glad and exult in You;
I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.
I love these verses! David isn't saying, "O God I want to thank You, I want to praise You, I want to sing to You."
No, he is willing himself to do these things. Whatever he was going through was hard, but he knew the source of power and strength in his life was God.
David did what he knew he must, not what he felt like doing.
I think that's the key--trusting God has nothing to do with feelings. It has to do with the exercise of our faith, which says, "No matter how terrible this looks, no matter how fearful I am, no matter what tomorrow brings, God will be there and He is for me."
good observation! i never looked at those verses in that way. but it is true. one thing God is showing me is in line with this: I need to remind myself of the truth instead of being led by my feelings. Often I don't feel like praising God because i look at my circumstances and feel depressed, but I have to "will" myself to do it and push past my feelings. Good blog! :)
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