Learning to trust God no matter what
Years ago, I sat there flipping through a magazine trying to find something of value to read. I glanced around the waiting room wondering why these others were here to see the neurologist. Was this occasional tingling in my feet minor compared to what they were experiencing, I pondered.
A couple of weeks earlier, my family doctor recommended that I see this neurologist. Maybe he could determine why this was happening. He ordered some tests and an MRI. We were going to look over the results. “Mr. Pond?” the nurse said as she opened the door to the small rooms in the back.
As I looked around the room, posters of medications and charts covered the walls. Diagrams of the human circulation system looked like roadmaps of the great state of Humanity, red and blue lines intricately winding through the entire body.
“Hello Mr. Pond,” the doctor said as he entered the room. “The results are back, and here’s what we found: you have a slight case of neuropathy, which is causing this tingling sensation. It’s not serious or dangerous, just a nuisance.”
I smiled. “A nuisance. I can handle a nuisance”, I thought.
“Also,” the doctor continued, “we found something on the MRI. Something unrelated.” As he held up the big, black and white negative, he pointed to a small area on the left side of my brain. “Do you see that white spot?” I nodded. “We need to run some more tests on that. It could just be some bruising, or possibly a mass or tumor. I’ll order some more tests.”
After a few more questions, I talked with the nurse about the other tests and then headed home. As I walked out of the doctor’s office that day, my first thought was this: “Lord, you created this body. And, through Jesus Christ, I have surrendered it to you. You can do with it what you want. And whatever you want to do with it, that’s fine with me. Life or death, I will trust you no matter what.”
Later tests confirmed that it was a mass–a small one, but a mass nonetheless. The weeks ahead were very strange for me. I kept waiting for that impact, that rush of fear to hit. Nothing. My wife and I talked about it. We both waited for something painful, something terrifying to hit. Nothing. So, we prayed and we asked our friends to pray.
Life went on for us. In fact, I would go months without thinking about it. Time would go by, and I would be at work saying to myself, “Oh yeah, I need to pray about this.” Strangely enough, it became a non-issue for me. Even today, as I linger in this “wait and see” mode, I have a hard time remembering my condition.
In the past, when fear gripped my life, even the slightest tinge in a muscle would have pushed me into a panic attack. I constantly lived in the land of “what if’s”. But, by God’s empowering grace, I’ve been able to put my complete trust in him no matter what happens.
Please don’t think I’m some super Christian. Far from it. There were times when my mind wanted to play in the playground of “what if”. But, I simply chose not to go there. I got beat up too many times playing in that playground. Rather, I would pray, “Lord, I am yours. I trust you to take care of me.” And when I prayed that prayer, God’s peace filled my heart and I knew that he would take care of me just as he promised he would.
Today, maybe you’re facing something terrifying–cancer, a tumor, surgery, a bad doctor’s report. Your mind has constantly been playing at the “what if” playground, and it’s created fear and worry. Let me encourage you that God wants to help you through this dark time. God wants to empower you to trust him no matter what happens. His grace is sufficient, for his strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Prayer: Father, I need you to help me through this difficult time in my life. This valley in front of me is dark, and I can’t see where it’s going to end. But, I know that I must walk through it. So today, I give you my life. I surrendered all that I am and all that I have to you. Jesus, forgive me of the wrong things I have done in my life. I choose today to turn away from those things and turn to you. My life is now in your hands. You created this body and this mind, and they are now yours. Empower me to trust you no matter what happens, for I am your child. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our Great High Priest – Answering Spiritual Questions
Over the years, I’ve been asked many questions about faith, fear, sin, God, right and wrong. Some of the answers have been obvious. The Bible lays down clear boundaries regarding the issues of our life–things like repentance, forgiveness, obedience and sin.
Other areas are not so clear, like “Should I take this medication?”, “Should I change jobs?” or “Do you think I should go back to school?” These questions don’t have an obvious, straightforward answer.
So, how do we know what to do? How can we get clear direction for the important decisions of our life? Yes, we can talk to others. And, we can seek wise counsel. These are good, and the Bible says we should do these things. But, the ultimate choice still remains with us. We alone have to face the natural and supernatural consequences of our decisions.
In the past, under the old covenant, the people could only go to God through the high priest. Only he had direct access to God. Only he could go into the temple’s innermost chamber–the holy of holies. No other person could go there. All of your requests, all of your prayers, all of your questions, all of your concerns were funneled to God through this man, the high priest.
Today, under the new covenant, things are quite different. We no longer have an earthly high priest. We no longer funnel our prayers through an earthly man. Yes, we still have a High Priest; we still have one who goes before God on our behalf. Our High Priest is Jesus Christ. Because of him, we can now go directly to God ourselves. Jesus paved the way for us to approach God, not in our own goodness, but in goodness of Christ.
Here’s how the writer of Hebrews explains it: “We have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin” (4:14-15).
So, what does having Jesus as our High Priest do for us? What can we do now that we couldn’t do before? Listen, as the writer continues in verse 16: ” Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
If you have a question, a concern, a prayer, a fear, a time of need, then Jesus Christ has made a way for you to come directly to the throne of grace. You don’t have to go through a priest, a pastor, a minister or any earthly man. With Jesus as your new High Priest, the doors of heaven are open to you, because “God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9).
Prayer: Father, I know that I’m unworthy to stand before your throne of grace. My sin is disgusting in your sight for you are a perfect, holy, sinless God. But, you sent your Son to die for me and to make a way for me to come to you. Father, I receive the work of Jesus Christ in my life. I choose today to obey him that I may stand before your throne of grace in my time of need. Father, forgive me of my sins. I choose to turn away from my sin, and turn towards you. Give me the strength to follow you all the days of my life. I ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Winds of Doubt – Overcoming fear and anxiety
When the storms of anxiety and fear blow into your life, they’re often carried by the winds of doubt. “Will I ever get through this?” “Is this the one?” “God are you still there?” “Oh, I feel so alone.”
I used to think doubt and faith were opposites–like night and day, black and white, good and evil. They seem contrary to one another. “Either you have faith or you have doubt. One can’t exist in the presence of the other.” Yet, the more I study, the more I realize that faith and doubt are like sisters–related, but different.
If you had absolutely no doubt in your mind, would you need faith? No, for faith is the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is what you hold on to when the winds of doubt pound hard against your soul.
My definition of faith has changed over the years. I used to think faith was this ability to muster up enough “belief” in something until there was no more doubt. But that’s not faith. Faith is how you respond in the presence of doubt.
At one particular point in his ministry, Billy Graham was experiencing a dark period in his life. He felt as if God had disappeared. I’m sure his mind was filled with doubts. He wrote to his mother about the experience, and she replied, “Son, there are many times when God withdraws to test your faith. He wants you to trust Him in the darkness. Now, Son, reach up by faith in the fog and you will find that His hand will be there.”
Yes, the winds of doubt will storm into your life, but think of your faith as a kite. As the wind of doubt blows harder, it will lift your faith, your kite, higher into the sky. As long as your kite of faith is firmly fashioned in Jesus Christ, then it will weather the storms of doubt.
Doubt and faith can coexist. As a kite without wind cannot fly, neither can your faith be lifted higher without the winds of doubt.
“Without faith it is impossible to please [God], for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
This week, let me encourage you to seek God. Seek him with all your heart. He rewards those who diligently seek him. You will find him with you search for him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). That’s a promise from God.
Prayer: Father, my mind struggles with doubts, but today, I choose to trust you. I put all of my faith in you. Even when doubts come crashing in, my faith is in you.
climbing trees
A few years ago, my family and I attended our first family reunion. It was four days of sleeping in tents, eating good food and sharing family stories. We flew to Ohio to meet aunts, uncles, cousins and second cousins that we hadn’t seen in years–some we’ve never met. It was a special time.
It was also a time for me relax and enjoy some time with Caleb, who was 6 years old at the time. In between flying kites and swimming in the pond, Caleb and I found time to do some fun things together. One of those activities was climbing trees. Since we don’t have too many “climbing trees” at our home in Texas, we took full advantage of the tall trees in Ohio.
“Daddy, let’s go climb that one,” asked Caleb.
We darted over to the small apple tree. Caleb crawled his way up into the first clump of limbs. I was right behind him, making sure he didn’t fall or lose his grip. Like an experienced climber, he surveyed the various branches and footholds. He grabbed a limb with one hand, slid his foot into the next branch and up he went. I was impressed. He was both confident and cautious. Again, I followed his climb, just in case he needed me.
Finally, he had reached his limit. He couldn’t quite grasp that next level of branches. “Well Caleb,” I said proudly, “this is quite high.”
“But Daddy, I want to go higher.” He pointed to two branches about four feet up. “Right there! That’s where I want to go.”
After making sure it was safe, I decided to help him to that next level. I positioned my knee as a new step for him and held on as he pulled himself upward. In one quick movement, he made his way up to the top. He stood there confidently, looking around at the view as if he were on top of the world.
After a few proud minutes, it was time to crawl down. But Caleb quickly realized that he was in a place where he couldn’t get down by himself. “Daddy, you have to help me. I can’t do this by myself.” As I began to help him down, he just kind of fell into my arms, trusting me to catch him all the way. Moving cautiously, we eventually worked our way down.
When I think about this battle with anxiety and panic attacks, we often find ourselves up a tree that we can’t get down. Fear grips our mind as we try to figure out how to “get down”. We survey all of the possible escapes, but nothing seems to work. I believe this is where we need to cry out to our Father just a Caleb did, saying: “Daddy, you have to help me. I can’t do this by myself.”
But, that’s not all. After our cries for help, we must take the next step–fall limp into the arms of our Father in heaven who is waiting there to catch us. We can pray and ask and cry out for help, but if we cling to the branches of worldly security, then we will never experience the peace that God has for us.
Prayer: Father, I need you to catch me. I need to just fall into your arms. The fear and anxiety have gripped my mind and I have nowhere to climb down. Help me just to rest in you.
his mercy endures
Does this sound familiar:
“God can’t love me. I’ve done some really bad things.”
“Life is too hard. I am sure I will fail.”
“I don’t deserve his love.”
“How can God forgive me? He knows everything I’ve done.”
As a parent, I have experienced some trying times when it comes to my son. Temper tantrums. Fits of rebellion. Painful words.
Each time my son rebels or disobeys, my love for him does not change. He cannot sway my unconditional love for him. At times, he may provoke some emotions like anger or frustration. But never does he provoke me to hate or to wrath. I love him no matter what he does. My mercy towards him endures.
Now if I can do that as an earthly father, how much more can God do that as a heavenly Father?
When you get a chance this week, read Psalms 136. It’s only 26 verses, and it’ll only take you a few minutes to read. But, you will find something quite interesting about that chapter. Twenty-six times (one of each verse), the following words are repeated:
“For His mercy endures forever.”
You might say, “But God can’t love me. I’ve done some really bad things.” God says, “My mercy endures beyond the bad things you’ve done.”
You might say, “Life is too hard. I am sure I will fail.” But God says, “My mercy endures beyond your future failures.”
You might say, “I don’t deserve his love.” But God says, “My mercy endures beyond your ability to deserve my love.”
You might say, “How can God forgive me? He knows everything I’ve done.” God says, “My mercy endures beyond all that you’ve done. I can forgive you.”
Is there hope for you? God thinks so (Jeremiah 29:11). He has good plans and a good future for you. That’s why his mercy endures forever. In Christ, you are forgiven. You are made clean. You are in right standing with God.
His mercy endures beyond your abilities, your failures, your efforts, your sins, your past, your future. His mercy endures forever.
Prayer: Lord, I know I have messed up things pretty badly. But, your mercy endures forever. Let your mercy wash over me and cleanse me. I put my hope in you.
seasons of change
Change can be uncomfortable. In March of 1999; I went through a season of change in my life–a change that many people are experiencing today in this economy. After ten years of service with this company, I was laid off without warning.
I remember that morning so clearly. It started off just like any other Monday morning, but I had no idea what was coming. At 10:00 am, my boss walked up to me and said, “Russ, we have to let you go. You need to be out of here by 5:00 pm.” What started out as a typical Monday morning quickly became a life-changing experience in just a matter of hours.
At first, I was kind of numb. Ten years at one job was a long time. Yet, as my boss walked out of my office that day, I began to weep–not at the job loss; not at an uncertain future; not even at the abrupt ending of my income. No. When I wept, I was weeping over God’s goodness. I had no idea what the next day held, but I knew God was good, and he could be trusted. My life, my future, my family was really in his hands. I was already in God’s hands before that Monday morning, but now the revelation of that truth had come to life.
Months passed with no promising offers. An interview here; an interview there. Nothing came my way. I was riding the roller coaster of emotions. Yet, I knew deep down that God would not fail me. I could trust him.
One morning, I got a call from a local company. We talked for a bit, and then I went in that very day for an interview. By the end of the interview, they had verbally offered me the job. In a matter of hours–just like that day in March–my life had changed.
When I look back over the past four months of unemployment, it was a good time–times of rest; times of seeking God; times of divine provision; times of prayer. And yes, even times of questioning God. I figured if David and Jesus could ask “why” (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34), then surely it’s okay for me to ask “why”. Yet even in my questions, God proved himself faithful.
I could have battled all the “what if’s” and spent endless hours worrying and stressing over my situation, but I chose not to. I knew God could be trusted. I knew he would provide for us. So, I decided to rest, and let God bring about the right job at the right time.
I want to encourage everyone reading this that God can be trusted. No matter if it’s unemployment, fears, family problems, marital issues, personal struggles or just questioning your faith, God is there for you. Through his Son, Jesus, God is ready to help you through any problem, any situation and any circumstance.
Jesus said, “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Doesn’t life consist of more than food and clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest or put food in barns because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are. Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not. And why worry about your clothes? Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, won’t he more surely care for you? You have so little faith! So don’t worry about having enough food or drink or clothing. Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:25-34).
Prayer: компютриFather, I want to trust you more. I want to understand your heart, your will, your desires for me. I want to live in your faithfulness, because you are completely and totally faithful. Today, I choose to trust you. I choose to not listen to me circumstances. I will rest in you.
dinosaur day
It was dinosaur day at the local mall. The giant robots were so realistic. The mammoth models would move and growl like real dinosaurs. It was an exciting time for the kids.
When Caleb was 3 years old, he was fascinated with dinosaurs We figured he would love to see the exhibit. As we walked into the mall, his eyes lit up when he saw the figures from afar.
As we came closer to the largest one, the T Rex, the growl grew louder and the eyes more fierce. Caleb was filled with excitement…and fear. His voice quivered when he pointed to the giant that hovered over us.
I tried reassuring him that it was only a model and that dinosaurs don’t live anymore, but he was still consumed with the lifelike figures.
“Caleb? Hold my hand and I will help you. There’s no need to be afraid.” As we walked through the mall, his hand gripping mine, he began to enjoy the displays.
“Daddy! Daddy! Look at that one!” he shouted with excitement. “Over there! Look over there!” From fear to excitement, Caleb enjoyed the exhibit. Most of the time, he held firmly to my hand. Other times he gripped tightly around my neck.
He felt secure. He felt safe. His fear turned to joy when he walked with his father.
“For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you” (Isaiah 41:13).
From a dinosaur model to the realities of life, fear takes on many forms. Although the reasons for the fear, in many cases, may only be perceived, our response is very real.
Let me encourage you to take hold of your Father’s hand. Heed his words, “Do not fear.” When you take your Father’s hand and start walking, what once seemed fearful will become exciting. You can walk past the “dinosaurs” of life with a new confidence, a new peace, a new perspective, holding your Father’s hand.
Prayer: Father, take my hand in yours and lead me through the crises of life, turning my doubt into excitement, my fear into anticipation. Help me to trust you, hold on to you, in every situation.
fiery furnace faith
King Nebuchadnezzar built a large statue. It was ninety feet tall, nine feet wide and made of purest gold. The king then made the following decree: “As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace” (Daniel 3:5,6).
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego served God. They would not bow to any image the king had created. The king was furious and demanded that these young boys come before him. As they stood before the king, he told them directly, “When you hear the music, bow down!”
It was the king’s decree. It was the law. If they disobeyed, they were surely going to die. Listen carefully to their response:
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17, 18).
Did you hear the faith of these young men? Minutes before their obvious execution, they declare, “…the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand.” They did not bow to the king’s demand. They did not give in to fear. No matter what the consequences, they were going to trust God, even if it meant death.
Many times when fear strikes, we give in to the thoughts and lies that have plagued us for years. The prince of this world plays the music of fear in our minds. When we hear it, we simply bow down to the fear and allow it to control our lives.
I encourage you to declare that you will trust God no matter what the consequences. As God protected those three boys from the fire, so he will protect you. When you trust God with all your heart no matter what could happen, his peace will flood your soul.
Prayer: Father, I call upon you in my weakness and ask you to give me strength and courage–strength to stand against the music of fear, courage not to bow down to the enemy. I declare that I will trust you no matter what the consequences.
walking through
When I first became a Christian, the panic attacks continued. I couldn’t understand why. I prayed and begged and cried out to God for freedom. Yet, they continued. I kept asking God to take away the fear–to take away the bondage of panic. But, they continued.
Then one day, I was thinking about the people from the Old Testament and their situations. I learned something quite intriguing. God does not simply take away our problems–he gives us the strength to overcome them. We do not walk away from our problems–we walk through them. Let me explain:
A great flood poured down upon the earth. God did not save Noah from the flood. He saved Noah through the flood. He gave Noah the resources to survive.
Daniel’s friends would not bow down to the king, so they were thrown into the furnace. God did not save them from the fire. He saved them through the fire. In fact, one “like the son of God” walked through the fire with them.
As Moses and the children of Israel were fleeing the Egyptians, they encountered the Red Sea. It seemed as if they were trapped. God did not save them from the sea. He saved them through the sea.
When God steps in and provides a miraculous deliverance, he gets all the glory. No man can take credit for the deliverance. There have been many times that I have prayed for God to free me from panic disorder. Now, I understand that he walks with me through the panic disorder. Peace comes as the flood and fire of fear have no effect on me.
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze” (Isaiah 43:2).
When you walk with God, you can walk through any obstacle that comes into your path. Whether it be fear, panic, pain, confusion or danger, God will protect you when you walk side-by-side with him.
Prayer: Father, I know that you have the power to heal, and yet I also understand that sometimes you choose not to heal your children but to give them the sustaining grace to walk through their difficult circumstances. I pray that as I walk beside you, you will protect me from the fire and flood of fear.
dying to our desires
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Being crucified with Christ is such a hard concept to grasp. Yet, learning to die to ourselves is the key to life in Christ, a life full of peace.
Let me share a story with you about dying to our dreams. God visited Abraham and said to him, “Abraham, you will have a son. Through this son, your seed will be like the stars in the sky” (Genesis 15:5). God promised Abraham that through his son there would be many, many children.
Isaac is born, and God’s promise is fulfilled. Can you imagine the hopes, the expectations, the dreams that Abraham had for his son Isaac? “This is my promised seed from God,” Abraham must have thought proudly. “Through him, thousands upon thousands of people will fill the earth.” A proud father. A confident patriarch.
Then, God commanded something that might seem totally contrary to his character: “Abraham, take your son, your only son, and offer him as a burnt offering” (Genesis 22:2).
“What? Kill my one and only son? Kill this promise you have fulfilled? Kill my hopes, my expectations, my dreams?” The thoughts must have flooded Abraham’s mind.
Yet, Abraham put aside his human reasoning and obeyed God’s command. After he had laid Isaac on the altar and had raised a knife to kill him, an angel of the Lord stopped him. In the thicket, Abraham saw a ram that God had provided for him to sacrifice instead.
God wants us to die to our own desires, our own dreams. By dying to these desires, we are telling God that we fully trust him–that he knows what’s best for us. God honored Abraham’s obedience. God will honor your obedience. When we give up control of our own lives and are willing to die to ourselves, God will provide what we need. He can be trusted.
Prayer: Father, if there is any area of my life, which I have not released to you, please show me. Reveal any part of my fleshly self that is still alive and needs to die. Help me to surrender my selfish desires to you, nailing them to the Cross. I will trust that you know what is best for me.