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We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
There are few things we can know for sure. We watch the weather forecast in hopes of ‘knowing’ what the weather will be like, and sometimes the meteorologists are actually right!
You may read the business section to see how your IRA or retirement account is doing. You may study prophecy to see what is going to happen in the future. The reality is, there just aren’t many guarantees in life!
Some of us lament over the past. Some are dissatisfied with today. Some are full of anxiety over tomorrow. Sometimes it’s refreshing to focus on the things we know. Especially since the things we know will carry us through the unknown.
Sometimes the things we know get lost in the distractions of the things we aren’t sure about or are fearful. So here is your reminder for today. It’s set in stone. It’s as secure as a mountain. It’s withstood the storms of time. It’s weathered every attack throughout history. Ready?
God chose you. He didn’t choose you for your looks, your spotless past, your strength, your financial stability or your ability to be of any value to him at all! He chose you because he loves you with a love you can never return, never be worthy of and never run from. You are loved. Live in the strength of that truth!
So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 2 Corinthians 4:18
It seems like every day we’re met with more and more troubles. Racial tension. Conspiracy theories. Political unrest. Natural disasters. Pandemics. Climate change. Inflation.
When you start to look around, it can really be pretty depressing. It’s no wonder fear and worry and anger and frustration and hatred seem to be rampant.
The apostle Paul encourages us to place our gaze on the things that last forever. All of the struggles we see now will someday go away. But there are some things that we can’t see that will last forever.
The love of God is new every morning. The forgiveness of our sins. The promise of eternal life. A peace the passes all understanding. The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives as believers in Jesus. What are some other things that will last forever?
Focusing on the things that will last forever makes it easier to endure the things we struggle with that surround us. The things we see are temporary, but the promises of God are eternal.
All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 1 Corinthians 9:25
A good athlete will train hard. He’ll sacrifice much to hopefully gain much. But training is no guarantee you’ll come in first.
There are many excellent athletes who train hard and still come in second or worse. Some may even train harder than the champion. Yet a good athlete keeps trying.
Training may not guarantee you’ll win, but failing to train guarantees you’ll lose. Two things keep us from being all God wants us to be. The first is failing to take that first step. Small steps lead to big rewards. The hardest part of a walk is getting out of your chair!
The second thing that keeps us from being all God wants us to be is quitting when we lose. Champions don’t allow initial losses to keep them from eventual victories.
Don’t allow doubt in your ability to win keep you from training. If you fail (come in second) don’t give up!
Jesus is your personal trainer and His goal is to help you cross the finish line.
For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him! Isaiah 64:4
Unrealized dreams. Unfinished work. Unmet expectations. Disappointing results. You’ve been there. We all have. Those times when, hard as we try, life doesn’t work out as planned.
Our efforts, or the efforts of others we put our trust in, turn out to be an epic fail. It’s easy to get caught up in the negative.
The voices of criticism and mockery tend to remind us of ways in which we fall short. Have you ever noticed that the harshest voices tend to come from your own mind? I do. I’m my own worst critic.
Maybe it’s time to step back and remind ourselves of what’s really important and who is really holding this all together.
Isaiah reminds us that while our human efforts may fail, the works of our God last forever. He’s never late. He’s never overwhelmed or surprised.
When we’re learn to wait on him, we’ll see his power unfold in front of us.
Ask for his leading. Wait for his timing. Act in his power.
The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7
Where do you turn when trouble comes? Who do you call on for help?
When relationships go south, some turned to new relationships, hoping to find relief.
When finances are hard, some borrow money which only increases their debt load and anxiety.
Loss of a loved one can lead to years of grief, depression, and mental health issues.
God has never promised that life will be easy. In fact, He promises us that we will have troubles. He also promises us that he will always be there to work with us through every storm we encounter.
The closer you draw to him, less impact the storms in life will have on you. You can trust in him in whatever storm comes your way!
What storm are you in today? What struggle is keeping you from seeing the good things in life? Lean heavily on God and he will bring you a peace that passes all understanding.
Mike Fisk & Built with Grace 