Stop, Pray, and Trust God

 Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV) Says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."  Jeremiah 29:11 (KJV) Says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."
Romans 8:28 (KJV) Says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose."

The above verses of scripture taken from the book of Isaiah tell us that God's thoughts are not our thoughts and that He doesn't do things in the same way that we would do them. He makes it clear that His ways and his thoughts are higher than ours as He is above us in all things just as the heavens are above the earth. It is for certain that He knows far better than we do what is best for us. The above verse of scripture taken from the book of Jeremiah makes it clear that the Lord wants us to live in peace, and that he doesn't sit around thinking about various evil He can bring upon us. He wants us to have divine peace and joy, and to live joy filled lives here on earth. The final verse of scripture listed above is taken from the book of Romans, and it makes clear that all things come together for good to those who love God, and are following him.

At one time or another, most if not all of us, have found ourselves in situations that are difficult and that we can't understand the reason for. When we do, we don't need to begin whining and complaining. When we are in a tough situation, facing difficulties and hardships, or we are unhappy with where we are in life, we need to stop, pray, and trust God. If we are living our lives in a manner that is pleasing to God and are following Him, then we need to pause long enough to remember that He has a purpose for us to be going through whatever it is we are facing, and that it will all work together for good in the end.

A great example of this can be found in Philippians 1:12-14 (KJV) where Paul says, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."

In this passage of scripture taken from the book of Romans Paul is in prison. Now take a moment to consider that the prison was cave like with dirt floors, and was far from comfortable. Many people in prison are quite unhappy and find nothing positive about it. Paul, however, makes it clear that he sees  the purpose for which God has placed him where he is, and the good that has come out of it. He tells us that the things that have happened to him including landing in prison have served to further the gospel of Jesus Christ. He goes on to tell us that his imprisonment has afforded him the opportunity to spread the gospel  in Caesar's palace, and that many Roman Christians were stirred to preach the gospel during his bondage. He states that they became able to do so more boldly, and without fear. So Paul having a close personal relationship with God saw the good in his situation, and the purpose behind him being in it. Paul didn't see the negative and begin whining and complaining about prison conditions or his plight, but rather he trusted God, and continued to spread the gospel from within those prison walls seeing the positive results that were coming from him doing so.

What a great example Paul set here for us to follow, when we find ourselves in situations that we don't understand or see a purpose for. If Paul had adopted a poor, pitiful me attitude the moment he was incarcerated and focused solely on his own discomfort, then he would have missed the opportunity afforded him to spread the gospel throughout the palace, and the opportunity to stir up many of the Roman Christians to be bold in preaching the gospel without fear. Paul knew and trusted that God had a plan, that God knows best, and that the end result would be good.

When you find yourself faced with a difficult situation, I encourage you to trust God. I urge you to remember that his thoughts and ways are not ours, and that he knows what is best for us. We have two choices we can make difficult situations about us, see the negative in them, whine, complain, and miss the good that God intended to come from them; or we can do as Paul did and trust God acknowledging that he knows what is best for us, and that whatever we're facing or going through He will work out for our good.

If you have a prayer request and would like me to pray for you, leave me a message and I will be more than happy to do so. May God bless you.