Trust God … and Hold On! - Girlfriends in God - October 21, 2014
October 21, 2014
Trust God … and Hold On!
Mary Southerland
Today’s Truth
Lord, you are my strength and my protection, my safe place in times of trouble (Jeremiah 16:19, NIV).
Friend to Friend
I enjoy movies that have a happy ending. My family constantly teases me about my surreal perspective of movie entertainment, but honestly, life holds enough reality. Why would I want to pay good money to see even more reality made bigger and more frightening on a gigantic movie screen?
When the movie, “The Perfect Storm” was first released, the previews suggested it had a happy ending. I should have known better. But we love the water. Seriously, how bad could it be?
We bought tickets, popcorn, and drinks, found the best seats in the theatre, and prepared to be entertained. Wrong!
Every scene showed tiny boats caught in the grip of frightening waves and fierce winds. I kept waiting for the storm to die down so everyone could go home with a boat full of fish to their anxious families who were confidently waiting for them on dry land.
Crash! Another monstrous wave belted the boat and crew. By the end of the movie, I never wanted to set foot on a boat again. I was exhausted from trying to get everyone home where they would live happily ever after. I was tempted to demand a refund because of false advertising. Believe me, there was definitely no happy ending, but I did come away with a new fascination and deep respect for the sea.
I have a friend who loves to sail. When I asked him if he had ever been caught in a bad storm, he responded, “Many times!” I shook my head in disbelief, concluding that he was obviously a glutton for punishment. Of course, I had to ask, “Then why on earth do you keep sailing?” His answer was profound. “Mary, every sailor knows they will face storms. You just learn what to do when the storm hits. In a severe storm, there is only one thing to do and only one way to survive. You have to put the ship in a certain position - and keep her there.”
The same is true in our lives. When the fierce storms of life overwhelm us, there is only one thing to do if we want to survive. We must position ourselves in the right place – in the hands of God – and He will keep us there until the storm has passed. The comfort of God is faithful and strong - even during the fiercest storms of life.
The words of the psalmist are filled with confidence and hope when he writes, “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed” (Psalm 107:29). We really can trust God to bring peace and to reduce the worst storm to a mere whisper.
Here’s the deal. The faithful provision and sustaining comfort of God at work in our life depends on the character and heart of God and on our willingness to trust Him.
I love my children with all of my heart. Naturally, there are times when they make me very angry. They make wrong choices and sometimes even disappoint me. But if they are hurt, sick, or in trouble, you can bet I will be there! The anger, disappointment, and even disobedience are overruled by my love for them. I have a driving need to comfort them. If my imperfect heart responds to my imperfect children that way, think about how the perfect heart of our heavenly Father responds to us.
Richard Fuller writes: “This, Christian, is what you must do. Sometimes, like Paul, you can see neither sun nor stars, and no small tempest lies on you. Reason cannot help you. Past experiences give you no light. Only a single course is left. You must stay upon the Lord; and come what may -- winds, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightening, frowning rocks, roaring breakers -- no matter what, you must lash yourself to the helm and hold fast to your confidence in God's faithfulness and his everlasting love in Christ Jesus.”
We can face every storm with confidence, knowing that God will redeem it for good. We can trust few things in this life, but God’s faithfulness is one of them. When the hard times come, and the storms roll in, trust God, and hold on. He is with you.
Let’s Pray
Father, I am blown away by Your faithfulness in my life! Forgive me when I let fear and doubt take over my heart and mind instead of choosing to trust You. Give me eyes to see the treasure buried at the heart of every storm, and help me choose to trust You - even when I don’t understand what You are doing! Teach me, Lord. Let my life be an illustration of Your strength perfected in my weakness.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Hebrews 12:12 (The Message) “So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs.” What does it mean in your life to “take a new grip” and “stand firm” even on shaky legs?
Looking back at the storms in your life, how would you rate your response to those storms? What changes do you need to make in order to experience victory?
Grab your journal and record your answers. Share them with a friend.
More from the Girlfriends
What does it mean to trust God? What would your life look like if you were walking by faith and trusting God with your whole heart? Mary’s new E-Book, 10-Day Trust Adventure, addresses every decision you make in every area of your life - including your past and future, your family and friendships, your finances and work - and how to make those decisions as you step out in faith and really trust God. Check it out! And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.
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