When your circumstances are dire and the wait for God to move seems unbearable, how do you remain steadfast and trust Him, knowing that God is able?
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Trusting God in the midst of difficult circumstances
It seemed impossible to me. We searched for answers, but in our humanness, we found none. Doubt and despair tempted us.
Some had shared that if they were in our shoes, they would probably curl up in a ball and pull the covers over their head. I never saw what good that would do. I have much more of a take-charge kind of personality. The problem was, there wasn’t anything I could do other than depend on Him to intervene.
My prayers were anything but elegant or eloquent. In desperation, my prayer alternated with my tears as I cried out, “Lord, please…please do something now. We need help. I know your ways are higher than our ways, and we trust you Lord, but we need your help, NOW.”
The valley that we walked in threatened to engulf us, just as the Red Sea swallowed up the Egyptians when they attempted to follow the Israelites across the once dry land God had provided.
Sometimes the wait for God to move feels unbearable. For us type-A personalities, we have to fight against trying to help God out. It tested me on several levels, but it also taught me several things.
Trusting and Believing God is Able
There is nothing He can’t do. And despite my feelings, the truth is that when I am broken-hearted and it seems impossible to me, with no way out, He is able and He can do anything.
Unlike people who will let you down, God remains faithful. He can tame the raging sea within my heart, and move the highest mountain of my circumstances. He can do anything.
Despite my difficult circumstances, I learned:
- God was there in the middle of my trial.
- The greatest sacrifice I could give was to sing my praises, and surrender what I thought I wanted, in favor of what God deemed best.
- In truth, whatever God decides to do will be better than I could have planned, asked for, or imagined.
- Waiting on the Lord is not passive—it’s an act of moving forward.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is lay our feelings down in favor of trusting God’s promises:
He promises to never leave us, nor forsake us.
He promises that we will never be alone.
He promises to work all things together for our good.
He promises that no weapon formed against us will prosper.
He promises that what the enemy intended to harm us, He will use for good.
He promises that those who trust in the Lord will not be disappointed.
He has a plan for us, and it is GOOD!
Regardless of our need, God is able!
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
Resources to Overcome Worry, Fear, and Anxiety
- Free Download: How To Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win
- Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide
- Free 7-Day YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
- Your Rx: 40 Scriptures that Combat Worry, Fear, Anxiety and Panic
- Series of 8 Podcasts on Defeating Anxiety in Times of Crisis like the Coronavirus. Visit our Podcast page and start at Episode 50.
The award-winning book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
No question, we have a lot to worry about. Children, jobs, homes, health, finances, and more. The solution isn’t to rid ourselves of the sources of anxiety – as if we could. Instead, we need to recognize that anxiety originates from a spiritual influence and that we can fight back using the God-given weapons of power, love, and a sound mind.
We can discover true peace in an age of anxiety.
In Breaking Anxiety’s Grip, Dr. Michelle Bengtson shares her own story of emerging from the battle with anxiety as well as the stories of others. She reminds you of your identity as a follower of Christ and of the peace he promises you in spite of everything.
She provides tools to cope with the crushing emotional burden of anxiety now and, more importantly, shows you how to reclaim God’s peace as a way of life so that you can break anxiety’s grip.
Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises is now available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBooks.com, Books-A-Million, and other fine book retailers.
Click here to learn more: Breaking Anxiety’s Grip
So beautifully written! You alway encourage me thank you! God bless you and your family especially your husbands’ health!
Thank you for your sweet comments Annette. I pray you will find the encouragement you seek when you land here. Because of Him, #HopePrevails
Amen – Michelle – He is more than ABLE! I wrote about Jesus being our anchor this week on both the vlog and the blog… your line about no matter what others will do and how they can let you down – Jesus won’t! Hallelujah! Amen!
Hey, I am so glad you were able to link up with #TuneInThursday this week. Sorry for my delay in stopping by, it has been a busy week 🙂
I am now singing “He is Able” and will be for some time! Thank you. God is the One to walk with us through anything … ANYTHING!
We have been learning this too. We have been waiting a long time for some things He has promised but we never give up and we know that He is ABLE!! Thank you as always for sharing from your life and difficult days of trusting God in the midst of your trial. Your testimony resonates so strongly with us as we walk the journey we are on. We love and appreciate you!