Exploring the world we live in through the lenses of the Bible, Psychology and general curiosity
Challenges or Idols?
What then shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all- how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?
-Romans 8:31-32
This is a great verse. A fantastic reminder that God is not going to leave us, and He will give us what we need to get through whatever challenge it is that we are facing. This is probably a good verse to memorize, along with Matthew 6:25. God’s got us! Whatever situation we are in God sees us, has a good plan for us and has got us. In a group discussion I was in recently the youth leader said “Some people let their problems become their idols.” This just kinda jolted me, because that is something I have most certainly let happen in my own life, but I had never looked at it like that. When we let the problems of our situations, our homes or whatever it may be become bigger in our lives than our God, then we are setting ourselves up for pain and disaster. We are making idols out of challenges, instead of focusing on how God’s going to get us over the challenges. It’s kind of like if you are in a dark room with a flashlight, see? And you are looking around at all of the darkness and freaking out, because the darkness is scary and threatening, and you forget that you have the solution, the flashlight, at your disposal. It’s easy to do! I’m not faulting you for it, if you’ve let it happen. I have too, so many times. But golly I want to learn to beat that fear long enough to use the flashlight, Jesus, to work through the situation! Being calm and logical is not my natural tendency. I tend to jump straight into drama, playing worst scenarios over and over in my head until I’m about to lose it, and then I remember the flashlight. That doesn’t mean that I cannot train myself to go straight towards the flashlight when things go dark though. God’s always there, always faithful, you’ve just got to remember to turn to Him and hold on tight and not let the problems get bigger in your eyes than He is. He is above everything! Never, ever forget that! He is on our side, He loves us, He is fighting for us, and He has got us. Just go to Him and don’t let go. Listen to encouraging music. Pray. Always read your Bible. He will get you through whatever it is. He is so good!
Dear LORD,
I confess, sometimes I let my problems take up more room in my heart and my mind than You. It brings me down, and it scares me. I lose sight of You when I let that happen and then wonder why it feels like you abandon me. I am sorry. I love You so much God, and I want to remember that You have got me, and You are bigger than my problems. I love You God. I want to praise You with all that I am. I want to remember that You are my God. You have ultimate power over me, not my problems. You are my King forever and ever.
Amen.
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