What do you do when you get the phone call , the diagnosis, the news you never saw coming?

What then? Are you destined to continually be consumed by the trouble and pain and spiral further downward into a pit of despairing emotions?

Can you experience peace in the here and now despite your very real circumstances? Is the overcoming power of the One you trust for eternity really enough for this day, for your pain?

As you choke the tears back, there it is.

A small, faint word comes from a somewhere deep in your soul… “Maybe.” At first, that is all you have. “Maybe.” And then truth fills in the blanks and the words become louder and shout at your heart.

“Maybe, maybe God, You do see. Maybe, You are still at work. Maybe, You really can bring beauty from THESE ashes (Isa 61:3).”

And from that small word, you feel the presence of your Father wrapping His arms around you beckoning you to hold onto Him.

That “maybe” is your mustard seed to hope, to trust God more than you trust what you can see and more than you trust yourself. That is keep-on-going faith.

But that keep-on-going faith is a FIGHT isn’t it?

As you’ve grown in your walk with God, you know all too well He didn’t promise us an easy life, but instead He said we would have trouble (John 16:33) and you have been having your share.

But you also know He is with you. Despite the trouble around you, you hear His still small voice above the often, gut-wrenching noise.

The enemy has relentlessly tried to convince you otherwise, but he has not won. Nope.

You have lived to fight another day, despite your doubt, despite your worry, despite even your sin failures. You continue to hope in the Most High God who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), but says, “He is making all things new (Rev 21:5)” and brings “beauty from ashes”.

As much as we all wish it could be, this “faith fight” is not a one-time thing for those of us still on this side of Heaven. The more you walk with Him, the more you know you desperately need Him for every moment in this life.

I know this fight too. Though some days are easy, the hard ones still come. It is in those moments I have to deliberately remember God’s faithfulness despite the doubts assaulting my mind.

Years ago, God gave me the acronym below to help me to remember how to FIGHT in the middle of the pain, in the midst of the problem, when my heart is aching. It helps me turn my eyes on Jesus. It helps me remember I don’t fight alone. I hope it will help you as well:

FIGHT

F First things first, remain faithful because He is faithful

God is a faithful God keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9

I Insulate yourself with praise and truth

As a man thinks so he is. Proverbs 23:7

G Grab hold of your thoughts

Take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5

H Hand it over to God – compare your problem to God’s ability to handle it

Nothing is impossible for God. Luke 1:37

T Take one day at a time

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:33-34

I share this again with several of you in mind. I know you are walking through heart-wrenching things. My heart hurts for you— but, I know God is, and will continue to be your Rock! Praying for you. ❤️

saturdaythoughts

kimjaggers.com