Is the Lord’s way really the best way? We have so many different voices telling us different things but what should we believe? Is God really a loving God or is He hateful like some try to say? Well here’s my story to answer that question…
As I was reflecting on my Dad being gone for 9 years now, I remembered just how good God was to me during that difficult time. Was my Dad perfect? No but he was still my Dad.
After I finally came to the place of forgiving him, I felt a literal weight lift off my body. I began to respect men again or at least give them the benefit of the doubt until proven guilty. It was soon after that when my Dad was diagnosed with terminal aggressive lung cancer.
Looking back now, I see that God’s timing was perfect, giving me the opportunity to fully forgive my Dad before he was diagnosed with cancer. Then soon after the diagnosis, he started to go down rapidly but because I forgave him, I was able to be there for him instead of shutting him out like I had been doing. I know I’ve told y’all this broken record story before but I feel I should share again.
During Dad’s battle with cancer, his Sunday School had a series titled “You’ll Get Through This” by Max Lucado. Again, God’s hand was with us giving us something to hold onto at a very rocky, painful time in our lives. That book helped both my Dad and I lean into Romans 8:28 and have strength for what lay ahead.
Then came the devotion “Jesus Calling” that we were introduced to. My Dad and I read it most days, especially towards the end of his life. It helped bring us so much strength and peace at that time. I love to still read it now because it feels like the Lord speaking directly into my situation at times like it did 9 years ago. I want it to be a morning family devotion and it has started to become that thankfully.
Soon after my Dad died, I came across this crossroads in my life. Even with all the hardship taking care of him and watching him suffer, I was still living for myself on random nights when someone else would stay with him so I could get a break.
I’d go out selfishly to dance my heart out, trying to forget the pain of seeing my Dad failing at home. I was seeing a guy who had just made it clear he wanted nothing to do with Christianity and I was feeling hopeless. Yet God.
Yet God, even through my selfishness, kept showing me undeserved grace and strength when I needed it. So I came across this crossroads after my Dad died where I could keep living for myself, going out acting stupid, and only focus on furthering my career, or I could settle down and wake up to what the Lord was calling me to. It’s not like going out gave me any lasting peace or joy, it was temporary gratification that was just that– TEMPORARY.
Then walks Garrett into my life and I knew that God wanted me to marry him. I don’t know why God made that clear to me but maybe it’s because that’s what it would take for me to listen and obey God’s direction for my life at that time. I wouldn’t say that Garrett saved me or that “good guys” will save you but yes God definitely used him at a pivotal time in my life.
So looking back 9 years ago, I’m so thankful for God’s mercy and hand in my life when I didn’t deserve it. He helped me get through one of the most difficult times of my life back then. Two and a half years ago, God helped me get through the most difficult thing in my life most recently– going through labor and childbirth and becoming a Mom.
Just because God is with me doesn’t mean everything is a cakewalk now but it does mean that He helps me through the difficult times that I know without Him, I may never have made it through. I’m just so thankful to God for who He is and what all He has helped me and my family through!
Choosing God’s way has brought so much joy to my heart and a peace that I know I would’ve never gotten if I were living in this world alone without Him. Heck, I might not have been alive still if it weren’t for God and His grace. I certainly had some close calls with shootings at places I had no business being at.
I guess I’m saying all this to remind you if you’re facing a crossroads in your life or maybe a difficult situation where you don’t know if you’re strong enough to make it through, you are. God will be right there with you, no matter how difficult or painful the situation you’re facing is. He will give you enough strength and peace to get through it that you didn’t know you had in you.
Know that the trials you face aren’t by accident. They’re meant to steal your joy, your peace, and your livelihood. But God can still bring about good out of the enemy’s attempts to tear you down.
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”
The enemy wants nothing more than to steal, kill, and destroy you. He will dangle whatever he can to win you over to death and destruction but please, please, please… don’t buy the lie. You know better and heaven for eternity is a lot better than hell on earth and after you die. Because you will experience hell even here on earth as you follow this world and things of the world.
If you’re the one facing a crossroads, I pray you choose wisely. Going against God and His will may seem very appealing but it will destroy you and everything you love. It won’t bring fulfillment. It won’t bring peace of mind. I won’t bring joy that lasts even past the next morning. Only God can do that.
Know that you were created on purpose for a purpose, exactly how you are. You are loved, cherished, and fully accepted by God to come as you are, how He created you to be. You don’t have to do things to be accepted or be loved by anyone because that won’t ever bring you fulfillment or true love or joy. You aren’t an accident no matter what you’ve heard and you’re never too far gone to turn back and give your life fully over to the Lord and do His will.
If you’ve never accepted Christ as your personal Savior or you need to recommit your life to Him, you aren’t alone and you can do it now. I had to do the same thing more than once as I was struggling with things of this world.
The devil doesn’t make it easy on us. What I do know is that when the devil is working so hard to destroy you, God has great plans for you to bring you hope and a future. And the devil doesn’t want that. He’s afraid of you and the impact you can have on others, bringing them hope and a future when they turn to Christ like you have.
So let’s royally piss off Satan today and firm up our commitment and resolution that no matter what we face, we will put our hope and trust in the Lord, knowing that He will be with us and that He has great plans for our life and our future!
We all say this out loud: WE TRUST YOU LORD and are fully giving our lives to You and will do Your will! Thank You for forgiving me and accepting me for who I am. You are the Lord of my life, now and forever! Amen.
If you want to accept Jesus as your Savior for real for the first time, here is how you can do it. We aren’t promised tomorrow, things can happen so don’t wait or think you have to get cleaned up first because you don’t and can do it right now, right here by clicking below.
“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
A Prayer For You
We thank You Lord that You will never leave or forsake us. That when we walk through the fires of life, we won’t be scorched and that You will be with us. Thank You Lord for never giving up on us even when we’ve turned away from you and broken Your heart. Thank You for adopting us as sons and daughters and becoming our loving, heavenly Father. Thank You Lord Jesus for Your grace and mercy that is never ending. Show us what You would have us do, give us purpose once again, and help us to accomplish it. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!
Stay hopeful!
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And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
Luke 17:5