I am ever astounded by devotional books. I can open up a book, written years before I am reading it and it speaks directly to where I am currently.
I continually am reminded that NOTHING escapes His eye. Not a single blessed thing.
The enemy whispers his dirty little lies in which he tries to make us think we are alone or forgotten or that God doesn’t care or won’t work in our lives. And then God shows up in my little devotional book and proves the enemy wrong – EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.
The other day, as I read, I had some thoughts go through my mind. They were more like light bulb moments. You know the sort – the light bulb goes on and suddenly, things seem much clearer. Some might call these moments “epiphanies” or “revelations” but we’re talking me here, so I will just call them my thoughts and share them ….
- His work in our lives will not be without pain. So why do we expect it to be?
- Hard things in our lives can still be His working in our lives. Why do we always think otherwise?
- Faith will give meaning to our pain. Why do we think there is no meaning to it?
- He wants us to collaborate with Him, not Him with us. Why do we think He has to go along with our plans?
- The adventure of life is a “sacred” adventure which means He is at the helm. Why do we think we are in control?
I finally have jotted down my thoughts and my questions. The questions I have been wrestling with. Perhaps the very questions man has been wrestling with for all of time.
And I am brought back to Jeremiah 29:11, which by the way has been crossing my path constantly the last few weeks:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
Yes I know, the promise was given to the people who would be in exile for 70 years and suffer. BUT it was a promise that in spite of that difficulty, God still had a plan for them which included good and hope and a future. God wanted them, and us, to seek Him and love Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. He goes on to say that He will end their captivity (and ours in difficult situations) and restore to them (and us). This word from the prophet gave the people a renewed commitment to God and to His Word. And may it do the same for us.
I am discovering it truly is OK to wrestle with questions and doubts.
For when I bring those very doubts and lay them against the canvas of His Word, I discover this:
He is God.
He is good.
All that He is doing will be good.
And with that truth flooding my soul, I can trust Him.
 Today I am joining … Unite and Testimony Tues. and Soli Deo Gloria and Titus 2 Tues. and Teaching What is Good and Titus 2sday .
Love love love that we can take our questions and doubts right to the Father. He is big enough to handle them and He loves us enough to hear them. Great post, Joanne! Thanks for linking up at Testimony Tuesday!
Holly, at times I have almost been fearful to question. I am slowly learning, He loves our questions as they cause us to think more deeply about Him. And He delights to show us the answers. Have a great Wed.!
I’m thankful my childhood pastor encouraged our questions. He would always say, “Questions are good as long as they get you to seek, ask, and knock. It keeps your faith alive and active.” And you are right, the answer is always . . . He is God and He is good. I love being able to go to Him with everything.
Loved how your pastor encouraged you to ask questions. And how true it is! Questions keep our faith alive and active as we seek our answers in Him. Thank you for sharing this with me!
“For when I bring those very doubts and lay them against the canvas of His Word, I discover this:
He is God.
He is good.
All that He is doing will be good.
And with that truth flooding my soul, I can trust Him.”
Beautifully stated! And I love how God does that, too….puts something in front of you just exactly when you need it!
Grateful it resonated with you, Elizabeth! He truly cares about us!
I Love that’s I can take my question and doubt to my heavenly father.
Tara, so am I! And I am grateful He gives answers in His time. Thank you for stopping here!
I so agree. So often I have hid my doubts in my heart, afraid to take them to God. But what I have learned is that if I don’t talk with God about them and expose them to light, darkness creeps in and gets a mighty hold.
So very true, Jen. Our God loves when we bring it all to the Table.