Do daily headlines challenge your faith—a global pandemic, un-called-for political aggression, the stock market plummeting? Dare I go on? Before I check the news, I have to go to the Source. I have to tank up the peace the Lord provides (Philippians 4:6-8) so that I can face what is happening in today’s troubled world. It’s the trouble in this world that can challenge our faith, isn’t it?
Yet in nearly seven decades (Dang, I’m old!) I have finally settled into the truth that those things that are too big for me, I will leave with Him and trust Him to take care of them. I’m not just sitting on my hands and letting the world drown around me. If I stay in communication with the Lord and He wants to do something, I will be ready. But I am not spending my hours in wasted worry either. I've spent way too much of my life there.
In Hebrews 11:6 we read, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
If we are honest we can struggle with truly knowing who He is and believing that He will reward us for seeking Him. In our book Tech-Pecked or Tuned In: Finding God in a Digital World, my sister and I talk about the doubts that cause unbelievers and believers alike to distance themselves from God. Do any of these objections keep you from being closer to a God who cherishes you? (My ol’ pastor used to say, “If you don’t feel close to God, guess who moved!”)
Objections:
Fearing that God won’t be there if you ask?
Fearing you won’t like what He wants you to do?
A habit of self-sufficiency.
Feelings of unworthiness.
Misunderstanding His nature.
In our book, you will find tools to combat these objections and other negative stereotypes we have of God and show people what faith in God is all about, a trust that is soul healing and life-giving.
You can read about others in Tech-Pecked, but I would like to dispel one objection today:
Unfamiliarity with His desire to help.
Whatever we need from the Lord, He will provide. He will help you. I’ve got proof.
Psalm 28:7, “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts; so I am helped.”
Isaiah 41:13, “For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”
Psalm 63:7-8, “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”
Psalm 46:1-3, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
In Song of Songs 2:13 we read, “Arise my beautiful. Come with me.” (He calls you beautiful!)
Sarah Young says in Jesus Calling: “You teethe on the truth that I am always there and stumble in a stupor unaware of my presence all around you!”
So I am choosing to exercise my trust muscle and pray for innocent victims and sick people worldwide as I call on Scripture to reinforce that God is in charge and He’s there for them and me.
And you...