Some mornings as I am writing in my journal, a thought will hit, I’ll see and understand something so simple in such a new and real way. It may be a verse I’ve read all of my life, or a new way the Lord is allowing me to see something — from a new perspective.
But when it comes it’s like, “DING DING DING!” and I can’t get my laptop open fast enough.
But I’m realizing that it’s not about, “Oh look! I have something I can share on this public blog!” it’s this… “Oh! It’s God! He wants me to share this!” And I don’t even know or understand why, but it’s just what He and I seem to do in this season of my life! “Oh! It’s You! I hear You, Lord! Yes, let’s get to typing, God!!!”
Believe me, I’ve had questions for the Lord, and I’ve wrestled with this idea of writing so publicly about some of the things that come from my own “secret place” with the Lord. I just go with it because He’s led me to it in this season of my life.
Now…. to what I’m so excited about typing from what I’ve written in my journal today…
This morning I “realized” that I can “take caution”, I can “be aware” of something, and not slip into worry. ?
I can be aware of certain things that maybe are “not good”, and yet, not fear. ?
I can know what I need to know, and just trust God — I don’t have to have any kind of reaction to a thing or a circumstance or situation, I don’t have to get worked up over that thing, I don’t have to be consumed in trying to figure out that thing…. I can just trust God and I can just keep on growing in my trust in God.
haha! It makes me laugh because it’s really true!
Because I have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16)
I can actually use the opportunity for fear and worry… and turn that into an opportunity to grow in trusting God more fully. The Word says I can. The Word tells me to…
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” – Romans 12:12
…and if the Word tells me to, it must mean that, in Christ, I am able to…
I can simply rest as I trust in Him, as I wait upon Him to make my path (my part, my response, my solution) clear.
Because He’s already promised to make our paths clear. Why fret over it? Why obsess over it? Why slip into worry over it?
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
How many times have I read this verse and yet it has not been so “known” to me as it is now?
I love The Passion Translation of this passage,
Wisdom’s Guidance
5 Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you,
and he will lead you in every decision you make.
6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do,
and he will lead you wherever you go.
Have you ever had a “close call” and you think,
“Gosh, I could have gone this direction in life and I would have missed out on this, this and this! That’s scary! Wow, that was a close call, God! Too close…“
How easy it is to let fear take advantage, to sneak in and take away all thankfulness… turning it all into just fear and fretting over what “could have been,” or “that was too close of a call, God!”
How about just, “Wow, God! Thank You! You are faithful and I rejoice in Your salvation! You always care for me and direct my path so perfectly and precisely.”
How many times I have done this very thing, when this is truly an opportunity to rejoice over the Lord being my faithful, trustworthy Deliverer! He’s not a moment too late — ever. It’s never “a close call” with Him. There is nothing to fear when it comes to His ways. These situations are to help us to gain assurance and so that we get to see His salvation, His faithfulness, and grow to trust Him more and more, as we experience and see His faithfulness in our lives.
In Psalm 91, verse 16 He says,
“With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.”
Lord, help me to find joy in trusting You, wholeheartedly! Forgive me for the times when I’ve let fear and worry creep in and take away my rejoicing and heart of thanksgiving — when this happens I can no longer see Your salvation, and I want to see Your salvation and Your faithfulness in my life! I love to see those things. Thank You for directing my path, so perfectly, Lord. You are trustworthy and perfect. ?
-Heather ?