Why me?
Why do I have to be the guy whose cervical fusion didn't fuse? Why do I have to be the guy who at 39 now has plates, rods, and screws in the front and back of his cervical spine? Why Lord? Why me?
Quite the pity party isn't it? I mean, there are so many people worse off than me. However, I can't help but feel like my life has been one HUGE trial after another. Sure, I have been blessed in so many ways, but when it has rained it has poured!
Now, I readily admit that many of my HUGE trials have come by way of poor choices via my own stupidity. And I don't blame God at all. In fact, I know that He not only brought me through them, He blessed me beyond anything that I ever deserved. But that was then, and this is now. And the fact of the matter is that I am a different person than I was back then, and I am working really hard to honor God with my life. Has God forgotten me? I mean, I've even had people tell me that maybe I am not "believing for healing" enough. That my faith is weak. Maybe it is my fault??!?
So here I sit. The reality of my disability is before me at my favorite time of the year. The time of year that I want to plant my garden, work in the yard, take my son fishing, take my family camping. But here I sit, and here I will sit waiting for healing to occur.
Healing to occur....?
Maybe this "healing" is far more than physical. Maybe, just maybe, my healing is not about the physical at all. Maybe, just maybe, God has allowed this to come into my life so that I learn to trust Him all the more? Maybe God sat me on my bum for the sole purpose of teaching me to "Be still and know that He is God"? I know that God has been faithful through the many trials and storms I have faced over the years. Why should I believe that this one is any different? Why should I believe that He has forsaken me or that what I am going through is not a part of His perfect plan for my life? Why should I believe that He has not allowed this for the purposes of drawing me closer to Him, increasing my faith, and to make me stronger?
This morning God led me to two specific scriptures:
Isaiah 40:27-31 - Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, “My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. 29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. 30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; 31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
James 1:2-7 - Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
This when I realized I was asking the wrong question. Instead of "why" I should be asking "what" or "how".
God, what do you want me to learn from this? God, how do you want me to use this to strengthen my family, my walk with you, your church? God, how can I use this to increase my faith, walk closer to you, and to trust you more? God, how will you use this to draw others to you?
Unlike some pastors these days, I do believe in a literal hell and a literal enemy named Satan. And I believe that He wants nothing more than to see the wounded and weary spiral further and further into the "slough of despond".
However, I will not grow weary, and I will not give in to the devils lies. My hope is in the Lord! And I will trust in Him, I will preserve in spite of my circumstances, and He will lift me up! And I will one day be stronger, better, and I will soar on the wings of eagles because my God has not forgotten me. In fact, I know that my God IS with me. And even now, He is not only bringing healing to my body, He is restoring my soul, and leading me in paths of righteousness for His Names sake.
May God be glorified in my life in all that is therein!
Christian Watts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Is Your Faith Floundering? 5 Keys to trusting in God
Do you struggle with trusting in God? I mean REALLY trusting in God, in the midst of the toughest storm? Well, you're not alone! Even those closest to Jesus struggled with trusting in Him.
I beleive that learning to trust in Christ is the key to knowing true peace, joy, and contentment in our everyday lives. Unfortunately however, so many people live their lives every day in fear, worry, depression, anxiety, sadness, and dissatisfaction all because, if truth be told, they trust more in "self'" than they do in God.
I encourage you to read the scripture passages (2 Storm Stories from Matthew's gospel) and the information below. And know that no matter where you are, no matter where you've been, today can be your day to take a step of faith! The day you begin a journey of trusting more in God than you do yourself.
The Apostle Paul was one that learned that trusting in God was the only way to live. And in His letter to the Phillipians chapter 4 he shares the secret to his contentment no matter the circumstance or situation:
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. (Either He was a sound sleeper, or was totally trusting in God Himself) 25 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Even though they had seen Him, had witnessed His miracles, they still struggled to trust Him) 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!”
Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. 23 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (Note that the sea was not exactly calm)
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
5 Keys to Trusting in God
1. You must believe that God is in control of everything. (Matthew 8:23-24 above) In other words you must believe that The One who created it all, is sustaining it all, and ultimately is in control of it all! Read Psalms 139…
Acts 17:24-28a Paul speaking to the people of Athens
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.
2. Your faith level must be operating at 100% (Matthew 8:25-26 above) Read Hebrews 11…
Matthew 17:14-20
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
3. Expect Jesus to do what He says He will do. (Matthew 14:25-27 above) In other words, don’t be surprised when he shows up or does something miraculous.
Matthew 21:18-22
18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
4. Keep your eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will take care of the storm. (Matthew 14:29-31 above)
Goes back to having a faith that’s running on 100%, and that’s not easy… But again, the more you trust Christ, the more you find Him faithful, the easier it will be to trust Him.
5. When Jesus calms the storm, worship Him. (Matthew 14:32-33 above)
Conclusion
When you and I put our trust in God, and begin to recognize Him as the One who calmed our storm, got us through our difficulty, brought us the healing we needed, supplied our financial need, gave us hope when hope seemed to be nowhere to be found… When we recognize that it was God and not some happenchance, lucky, whatever that just happened… we won’t be able to help, but to give Him the glory, and the praise He deserves.
And when that next storm comes, and it will, we’ll know beyond a shadow of a doubt that then, as before, He will be faithful!
I beleive that learning to trust in Christ is the key to knowing true peace, joy, and contentment in our everyday lives. Unfortunately however, so many people live their lives every day in fear, worry, depression, anxiety, sadness, and dissatisfaction all because, if truth be told, they trust more in "self'" than they do in God.
I encourage you to read the scripture passages (2 Storm Stories from Matthew's gospel) and the information below. And know that no matter where you are, no matter where you've been, today can be your day to take a step of faith! The day you begin a journey of trusting more in God than you do yourself.
The Apostle Paul was one that learned that trusting in God was the only way to live. And in His letter to the Phillipians chapter 4 he shares the secret to his contentment no matter the circumstance or situation:
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then He (Jesus) got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. (Either He was a sound sleeper, or was totally trusting in God Himself) 25 The disciples went and woke Him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” (Even though they had seen Him, had witnessed His miracles, they still struggled to trust Him) 26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey Him!”
Matthew 14:22-33 - Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd. 23 After He had dismissed them, He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, He was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. (Note that the sea was not exactly calm)
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
5 Keys to Trusting in God
1. You must believe that God is in control of everything. (Matthew 8:23-24 above) In other words you must believe that The One who created it all, is sustaining it all, and ultimately is in control of it all! Read Psalms 139…
Acts 17:24-28a Paul speaking to the people of Athens
24 “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26 From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27 God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.
2. Your faith level must be operating at 100% (Matthew 8:25-26 above) Read Hebrews 11…
Matthew 17:14-20
14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed at that moment.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
3. Expect Jesus to do what He says He will do. (Matthew 14:25-27 above) In other words, don’t be surprised when he shows up or does something miraculous.
Matthew 21:18-22
18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.
20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. 21 Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
4. Keep your eyes on Jesus, trusting that He will take care of the storm. (Matthew 14:29-31 above)
Goes back to having a faith that’s running on 100%, and that’s not easy… But again, the more you trust Christ, the more you find Him faithful, the easier it will be to trust Him.
5. When Jesus calms the storm, worship Him. (Matthew 14:32-33 above)
Conclusion
When you and I put our trust in God, and begin to recognize Him as the One who calmed our storm, got us through our difficulty, brought us the healing we needed, supplied our financial need, gave us hope when hope seemed to be nowhere to be found… When we recognize that it was God and not some happenchance, lucky, whatever that just happened… we won’t be able to help, but to give Him the glory, and the praise He deserves.
And when that next storm comes, and it will, we’ll know beyond a shadow of a doubt that then, as before, He will be faithful!
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