Help and Strength
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20 (NKJV)
Sometimes when I talk to women it seems like what I hear of their “Christian” worldview includes the following:
- “I should feel no pain.”
- “Everyone will be willing to participate in and support the ministries I love.”
- “People will pray for me when I am sick or having a problem –even if I don’t ask.
- “When I am in sin the church should not offend me by telling me what’s right.”
- “My children will be sinless.”
- “I know best where I should live, what church I should attend, what makes me happy, etc.”
- No one actually says these things but if you listen closely it’s revealing their core beliefs about God.
People often respond to the world as if we had created it and understood exactly what the next step should be without ever seeking God’s direction. We respond to other people as though we have totally forgotten that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) There is no one living who does not have the potential to hurt us badly – why are we surprised when someone does? Shouldn’t we be more surprised by how often God’s grace protects us from such behaviors?
There are certain things that happen in this world that we may need to adjust to. A diagnosis we weren’t expecting, a job change requiring a move, a death, someone lies, steals, or deceives us. What we believe about God and about life will determine how we respond to these hard realities of life.
Understanding that “God works all thing together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes” (Romans 8:28) can change our perspective. Seeking His direction about how to respond and faithfully believing that He is good are the only paths to get past these difficult times and live with the peace and joy that the Christian is promised.
If we rebel against God’s plan, peace and joy will be far from us.
We do not like to think of our responses to these situations as righteous or sinful. “You cannot help how you feel.” While this is true, emotions come and go without our permission or invitation. But, we can channel them with the truth we know from God’s Word.
God is good. (Mark 10:18) He is our refuge and strength. (Psalm 46:1) He will not leave us nor forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6) He wants us to be strong and courageous.(Deuteronomy 31:6) He is our ever present help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
God knows every set of circumstances we live in – He has put us there. Our direction for handling them needs to come from Him. We must have His Holy Spirit in order to discern the appropriate response.
Do we have a worldview that pleases God and promotes righteous responses to life’s circumstances? The better we know the Word of God the better our worldview will be.
When we believe our life is falling apart, when hardships come, will we stop and seek the direction and teaching of the Lord? He is a great God, a powerful Lord, and He has given us a Wise Counselor. There is no problem that He cannot handle, no power He can’t overcome, and no disappointment from people that He has not experienced and can sympathize with.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1) Do we believe it?
Yes, sadly, the world’s philosophy has crept into our world view in ways we often don’t realize.
Thanks for the reminder that there is no problem he cannot handle, no power he cannot overcome and no disappointment he cannot sympathize with. We are not pain free but we are never alone or unsupported. Excellent blog!
Thank you, Candice.
Yes Ava, Being aware is the first step to overcoming and adjusting our worldview, right! Thanks for commenting!
I love this. I think we often “Americanize’ the Bible to fit lives. Wonderful post!
What you said is spot-on; “People often respond to the world as if we had created it and understood exactly what the next step should be without ever seeking God’s direction.” We must remember GOD created it and has a plan. It’s up to us to come into alignment with him.
Thanks Michelle…for reading, commenting, and encouraging me!
Yes, Jessica, Him first! And, knowing His goodness and seeing His faithfulness will keep us aligned! Thank you.
Love this part:
“People often respond to the world as if we had created it and understood exactly what the next step should be without ever seeking God’s direction. “
I think we all have some unrealistic expectations about what our lives, relationships, & futures will look like. We have this “illusion on control”. Thanks for the reminder that we really do need God & benefit from His grace WAY more than we can even understand.
Thank you, Elizabeth’ I appreciate that you read it and the comment.
How can we, finite human beings, creations ourselves, dictate to The Creator what His next steps should be? We desperately need God’s wisdom to navigate through this world we live. Great post to chew on!
Trusting that God knows more than we do even when it doesn’t make sense has got to be one of the most difficult things to tackle. It really is the only answer to life at peace with Him, though. I appreciate the reminder today!
Amen to the peace with Him being in our degree of trust in Him! Thanks for commenting.
Thanks, Marcie!
Seek ye first, the kingdom of God…. As I read your post, this song kept playing in my mind. Thank you for this special message.
And all these things shall be granted unto you! Great response! Thanks for posting it.
Every time I read something like this, especially the list at the beginning, I always chuckle and then I stop and think, “You better check yourself, Deborah..”
Deborah, You are a wise woman (and aptly named)! Thanks for reading and commenting.