There are moments when you must step up and do the right thing for your family. While not getting into details, I have recently found myself embroiled in an ugly, sad situation in which I was actually concerned for the safety of some of my family members. I’ve had to give advice and support to those I love the most. Most of all, I’ve prayed for the Lord’s safety and direction for them. Yet I am confident that somehow, some way, God will get the glory and His name will be magnified.
But through this, it has brought to my mind a question that we should all ask ourselves when we are struggling through life’s difficult times: when the going gets tough, in what do you trust? Our culture and our own flesh tends to rely on the things that seem best and most convenient: the law, politics, emotions, even manipulation to somehow “win” people over and gain a “victory.” We see these sort of things often in the workplace, social media, or in everyday arguments. However, any so-called victory with these tactics and results are temporary and hollow. In fact, peace, true peace, is never found, only the absence of outer conflict for a season.
Therefore, to achieve real peace, we must be different. Our real trust is not to be on the what, but on the who. While the world will cling to their self-righteous, egocentric tactics based on nothingness, God’s people need to learn to trust Him first. Proverbs 16:20 says, “He who gives attention to the word will find good, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” In the same way, Proverbs 29:25 says, “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” In other words, God is always sovereign and always good, and will always sustain you through your issue at hand as you always trust Him.
Will there be consequences to a situation, including suffering and damage? Sure, this is the broken world that we live in, yet this shouldn’t matter, since God is still with you. Besides, by allowing God to be preeminent in your thoughts, feelings, and practices, He will lead you the right way and the right direction and even in the right methods to work for His glory. And along with this too, He will be your Comforter even now in this time of need.
Lay it all before the Lord, trust in your sovereign God, and let Him lead: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him” (Ps 34:8). Praying for God’s peace in your time of need.
Pastor Fran
P.S.- in case you missed it, you can find out how to follow Christ by clicking this link or by contacting me.
