Standing Firm Through Trials and Disappointments
Is life kicking you in the butt right now with trials of many kinds? Maybe there are some disappointments or hardships making your walk feel heavy. Or am I the only one feeling like I’m tripping the moment I step out of bed?
My husband’s career has been quite tumultuous in the past handful of years. In no part due to him. We have just found ourselves on the down side of buyouts, failed contracts, and downsizing.
It seems the moment we are cruising through life, hair blowing in the wind, a flat tire sends us flying off the road.
Like David in your reading today, I plead with God to make things “right”. I sometimes even begin to doubt the Lord hears me when I call out to Him.
Read: Psalm 27, Philippians 4:4-9
Do Not Fear
Easier said than done right?! Fear is our cup of mojo in the morning. Yes, I will take a caramel macchiato with a drizzle of fear on top please.
Fear is what keeps us running all day long, but I’m exhausted. I’m sure you are too.
David was literally running for his life for much of his journey here on earth. But he continued to trust God.
Now don’t go believing he didn’t have the same doubts that we have. He pleads with the Lord to hear him, to not hide His face, to not reject him.
Hmm…that all sounds familiar. When going through trials I am sure we have all shouted and prayed something familiar.
But when David says “I may dwell in the house of the Lord” and “I may seek Him in His temple”, he is referring to the daily presence of God .
We have the opportunity to dwell in the Lord’s presence daily and feel safe and secure there.
Instead Rejoice with Thanksgiving
We are encouraged by Paul in Philippians to “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Not just when life is going well and when the odds seem to be ever in our favor.
My favorite part of Psalm 27 comes after David describes all that he chooses to not fear and the confidence he has in God’s presence…okay, also a little pleading is thrown in….we’re all human. He says, “I will remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living”(V. 13).
And my optimistic heart soars to the heavens and I say, “Amen baby!!” We will see the Lord’s goodness. God is here to see us through all our present trials this very minute.
Rejoice in that!!
A Little Bonus Encouragement
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance…Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
James 1:2-3 & 12
Are you dwelling in your fears or God’s presence today? How can you rejoice in the Lord this very minute?
