For My Good

These days I'm finding it so hard to keep my focus on God and not on my circumstances. Because of this, my circumstances appear overwhelming and impossible to overcome. I forget how big my God is because my focus is on how big my problems are or at least how big they appear to be when that's my primary focus.

"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." Psalm 16:8

God is my Father and He allows everything in my life for a purpose. He never allows things unless they have a greater purpose. He never allows things unless they are for my good. This can be confusing and maybe even seem irrational if I don't trust Him and trust what He has promised in His word.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

I do trust the Lord and I do believe in His promises but this is an everyday struggle for me, especially during this particularly difficult season. The truth is, I don't just naturally bounce out of bed believing He is working things out for my good and that He has a plan to work it all out.

"then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment," 2 Peter 2:9

Trusting God in this way takes discipline and spiritual maturity. It is something that I know He is still working on within me. I believe that this season may be a reflection of that lesson. He has me in a situation where all I can do is trust Him. In my own power and resources, I don't have a solution. There is no amount of calculating, planning or concocting that will change my circumstances. I have to rely solely on Him and I believe that is what He is trying to teach me.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

When things are going well, it's so easy for me to forget that He is my sole provider and that His will for my life is best. It is during these difficult seasons, that I learn that the Lord is my provider, not my paycheck or my husband.

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

The Lord, my Father, is my provider. The Lord has a plan for my life and everything that He allows is for my good. I do not need to figure out how to solve my problems on my own because He already has a solution and that solution will not only make my situation better but make me a better daughter, sister, mother, wife, friend, and child of God. This is true for all of God's children.

With Love,

Stacey