Tag Archive for: trust

Unknown

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5-Minute Friday

UNKNOWN

Sometimes it’s the unknown that is our undoing. Not knowing something can be scarier than knowing the truth about something scary. I’d much rather know I have a certain diagnosis than wondering, guessing, and stressing about a problem that might or might not occur.

We usually remember the past. Where my feet are planted right now is the present. But the future—well, that falls into the unknown. The unknown can be frightening. On the flip side, knowing Who holds my future is comforting. He knows. He cares. He’s taking care of all things even though we, His creation, aren’t in on the decision making. Which is probably a good thing. I’m pretty sure if I were in charge, I’d mess up a whole bunch.

This is where the words Trust and Obey fit in. If I trust the Almighty with my future, then I need spend less time worrying about the future. I’ll trust that He’s in control. I need to follow Him; I’ll obey and do my part. One of my jobs is to tell others about what He’s done for me. To give others hope that He’ll sort out all the good, bad, and the ugly. Over and over again, God comes through. He’s answered prayer when I’ve asked, and when I didn’t ask or realize I was in danger.

  • What about you?
  • What things do you worry about?
  • Is there someone you can talk to about these worries?

Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you (1 Peter 5:7)

This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday link-up.  Join me and others as we reflect on, and write about one word each week for only 5 minutes.

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Publishing and Waiting …

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Even though circumstances do not seem to be going right, fair—always remember God still steers the boat. Relationships fail, money’s tight, child spills his milk, toilet overflows, ideal college seems elusive, death separates, divorce/abuse divides—though your dream lingers, “wait for it, it will certainly come and will not delay.”

Spring is springing-daffodils pop thru green grass

Why does publishing a book take so long, be painful, cost more in time and money than planned? This is not entirely the path I’d envisioned. There is a reason for all of this. You knew from Day #1. Maybe someday I will discover and be enlightened, but for now my duty is to abide. I see a smidgeon of light. Just like the snow’s melted around my daffodils. Brain tumor surgery allowed, growth, personal closeness gained. Book to be born! “Wait for it, though it tarries, wait for it.” (Habakkuk 2:3)

I hear Your message! Continue to do the work of proofing, editing, and all those required details. Whatever you may be waiting or longing for, know the end result will be worth it all. Trust and obey for there is no other way. Wait and do the appointed work … in His abiding, limitless strength.

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Maintain a steady course

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Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)

Winter Wonderland Creekside (photo by Steve Lasher)

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me” — Psalm 13:5–6 (NIV).

Feeling a bit in the dumps today? Unloved? Unrecognized? Unmotivated? One five letter word may be what you need to hear and focus on. T-R-U-S-T. Trust in God, his unfailing love, and the gift of free salvation.

In the Old Testament, God brought Moses and the Israelites through the wilderness, out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. The journey involved bumps, doubts, and inevitable pain. This may be what you’ve experienced with your writing career journey. Both acceptances and rejections are part of an overall plan.

Rather than remain bogged down in the negatives, why not choose to celebrate mini-victories along the way.

  • Maybe you received a thank you for a heartfelt note you wrote to a friend in need. Success!
  • What about an article you researched and later published in a church newsletter? Victory!
  • You volunteered to facilitate the discussion in your small group meeting — another success!

    Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)

    Winter berries (photo by Steve Lasher)

God is there congratulating and encouraging you to keep on writing and telling your unique story. Don’t give up; rather continue to keep trusting God through the slow and tough times. You’ll be glad you did!

“I’ve thrown myself headlong into your arms — I’m celebrating your rescue. I’m singing at the top of my lungs, I’m so full of answered prayers” — Psalm 13:5–6 (The Message).

Trust the engineer

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“When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer — Corrie Ten Boom.

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Trust – Search – and Expect blessings

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Crumbly, old stairway (Iowa)

Crumbly, old stairway (Iowa)

The challenge continually before you is to trust Me and search for My way through each day. Do not blindly follow your habitual route, or you will miss what I have prepared for you — Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young.

Let’s face it — we are creatures of habit. If it worked for us last time and the time before, why mess with the program? Why? Because maybe … just maybe … things could be better.

Sarah Young shares a few valid reasons to ignore status quo:

1.      Trust God. Why wouldn’t I trust him? He created me, sustains me and wants only the best for me.

2.  Search for God’s way continually. Not just once and say it’s done, but again and again throughout the day. Here’s the definition for search: to make a thorough examination of, look over carefully in order to find something. To come to know, to learn.

3.  Expect blessings and surprises! God loves to love us and give us the desires of our heart if we ask with the proper motives.

Dear God, forgive me for rushing into today without praying to you and asking what you have in mind for me. I intentionally seek your wisdom and your way. You know what’s best for me. Thank you for what you’re going to do.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” — Isaiah 55:8–9.

Do you feel you’ve got your life under control? Do you blindly go through your day without considering what God would have you do and say?

My anchor holds

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We sang a song in church a few weeks ago and my mind still rehearses the words. For some reason, this week I cling desperately to the words and meaning behind them. I must not allow the storms to shade the light of day.

Muskegon, Michigan pier - photo by Steve Lasher

Muskegon, Michigan pier - photo by Steve Lasher

“Though the angry surges roll on my tempest-driven soul, I am peaceful, for I know …

I’ve an anchor safe and sure, that can evermore endure. But in Christ I can be bold …”  – (My Anchor Holds – lyrics by William C. Martin)

The winds do wildly blow on my bark so small and frail. It’s as though I feel there’s no relief in sight and I may crumble at any moment.

But that’s when my God speaks peace to me, “Be still, my child — you are worried about things that I can handle. Your job is to rest in me and let me be your strong anchor in the midst of the storms.”

Rest. Abide. Trust.

Too much to do?

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“In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion” – Psalm 71:1.

I’ll have to admit, I seem to run in the state of confusion a good share of every week. Today is Monday and as I look at my to-do list thoughts of confusion run rampant. When and where will I fit all of this in? My desire is to be present in all the meetings, gatherings and tasks, but I sincerely doubt this goal will happen. 

November — the month I celebrate three years beyond major brain surgery. During and after the recovery time, I talked and wrote about living in the present — wherever you are, be all there. But I confess in the course of those three years, I have slacked off and not been as diligent at this practice.

Daily (and sometimes hourly) I need to place my trust in God — the one and only one who can make order come from chaos and confusion. The days I do lean on him and ask him to order my steps, things somehow miraculously get accomplished. And the things I wanted to do that maybe weren’t as important, well those items can wait until another day.

Thank you, God, for allowing me to wake up this morning. I give this entire day over to you as I release my hands from the scheduling. You know and want what’s best for me and my life. This much I do know.

Ever find yourself just going through the motions with a just-get-it-done mentality? I sure do, and I don’t like being in that mode. Can you offer your calendar up to the God of the universe and ask him to guide and bless your endeavors?

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Day #12

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Day of endurance: Left Shoshone, Wyoming (3 miles from Yellowstone) this morning at 40 degrees – arrived in Miles City, Montana this evening. Long, hot, weary day – saw 102 degrees. Big Horn Mountains w/the snow – beautiful (plus, loved the cooler air!)  Sweltering, hot and not much to see once left Big Horn. Wind blew sideways although didn’t cool; only more hot breeze.

Shopped in Cody, Wyoming for blue turquoise and ate at Hotel Irma where Queen Victoria donated the cherry bar. Hotel built in 1902 – very cool décor.

Loved staying in one place for four whole days and nights at the Shoshone Lodge. Delectable food, great out-west service, and a successful horse ride. Doesn’t get much better than that!

 “In quietness and trust is your strength…Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:15b–18).

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Rest in him

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 “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.” (Isaiah 30:15) 

It is the returning to God, repenting and turning away from my former ways, that I receive forgiveness. Rest is then my reward. Confidence and quietness becomes my strength to face the trials and joys of the day.

God longs to show me his gracious and compassionate nature—to share in all the blessings. I have no idea what today may bring, but he does. He will show me the way when I wait and place ultimate trust in him.

Prayer:  Dear God, I return to you. I trust you to calm my soul trusting in your strength to carry out necessary tasks today. Thank you for showing me compassion and grace I do not deserve.

Ask:  Are you confused about which task to do next? Feeling overwhelmed and full of unrest? Have you tried leaning on God for wisdom and stability? 

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This is the stuff

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While driving in the car, the song entitled This is the Stuff, by Francesca Battistelli  played. I could hardly wait to get home and look up the lyrics and hear the song again. 

“In the middle of my little mess, I forget how big I’m blessed!  Might not be what I would choose, but this is the stuff You use…”

If this is the stuff you use God, and it’s all your stuff, then continue to use your stuff to draw me nearer to you.  Whatever it takes—closer to you is my heart’s desire as well.  This song really ministered to me today. Why not take a few minutes and listen to the words? Let me know your thoughts.

Here’s the website link:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqqdA8LHN7I 

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