Tag: Philippians 4:19

Do Not Take Your Eyes Off God

Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Have you ever noticed when your life starts to go really well something unexpected happens and throws you off course? I mean you’re going along just fine. Your kids are happy, you love your job, your money situation is good (not great but good) and then BOOM! Adversity strikes. Your son gets bullied at school and doesn’t want to go back. Your daughter tries out for a club, doesn’t get accepted and is in tears. Your boss leaves the company to take another job and your new boss is a jerk. Then your car breaks down and the extra money you had in your pocket is gone.

Suddenly life is difficult. Your stomach is in knots, and you aren’t sure how to handle the changes. What is the best thing to you say to your children? How do you handle your new boss? Should you still take the family vacation you’ve been planning now that you don’t have the extra money?

It is so easy to blame God for the bad things that happen in our life. To question him and ask, even demand an explanation. Why me? Why now? Everything was going so well. Why would you do this to me? But I would like to challenge you to look at it a different way. The enemy is the one that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Not God. Philippians 4:19 says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” So instead of blaming God, lean into God. Have faith that God will be with you to bring you through this season of adversity.

The enemy doesn’t really want your peace of mind or your job or your money. He hits that to see if your faith is in that.  Because that is what he really wants. The enemy wants your faith. Your commitment to God. And if he can crush your faith, he wins. If he can get you to turn your back on God, he wins. Don’t do it. Do not take your eyes off God. Do not turn away from the only one that always has your back. Tell the enemy that your God is a mighty God and that your faith will not waiver.

You may never get that explanation that you were demanding regarding why these things happen to you. But you can be confident that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose.”  (Romans 8:28) So, stay close to God and have faith that he will make sense of it all.

Lord, my life is a series of ups and downs. But you are my constant. I love you and believe in you and have faith that you will be with me during the good times and the bad. Give me wisdom to handle all the challenges in my life. I will not take my eyes off you. Amen.

Provisions

Philippians 4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Glory in Christ Jesus.

Provisions. The Lord provides in a time of need. This past week was exceedingly difficult. Even more difficult for me than the pandemic has been. You see I live in Texas and we had the worst winter storm I have ever seen in my lifetime last week. Most everyone in my neighborhood either lost power or had rolling blackouts for days. We either lost water due to pipes bursting or had to boil our water due to possible contamination. The temperatures were below freezing for days and even got down to zero degrees. The roads were icy, the stores were closed due to blackouts or wiped clean of all fresh food. The internet was down when the power was off and cell phone service was sketchy. We were just not prepared for that kind of weather for that long in Texas.

But the Lord provides. Our neighborhood Facebook page became a communication tool for people offering hot food or a place to warm up. Neighbors were offering neighbors free firewood or a place to charge their phone. If someone found bottled water or a gas station open, they would send out a message so others would know where to go. Then churches in the area started offering free hot meals and bottled water through drive thru lines. This reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:26. He said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”

We can trust that God will meet our needs even if all our wants are not satisfied. Because let’s be honest, most people want to feel good and avoid discomfort or pain. I know I do. But that may not be what you need. You might need to go through the discomfort or pain to come out on the other side a person that is ready to share their testimony with others. In that case, the Lord may provide you courage to face the problems at hand. Do you have a story that you can share about how God showed up for you this week?

Heavenly Father, thank you for being with me this week when I was scared, alone and didn’t know what to do. Thank you for providing me peace and assurance that no matter what you would provide for my needs. Amen.