Standing Firm in Faith

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God tests our faith, sending storms to disrupt our quiet lives.

Both my sister and Ed have received the same scary health diagnosis in a preliminary screening, and both are facing the same follow-up procedure to confirm or clear the test results. I understand how they feel after having been on the receiving end of a scary diagnosis myself. It rocks your world and tests your faith. 

 The good news, only 25% of the initial test results are accurate and the follow-up is only a precaution. This gives some comfort to both them and me. 

Still, my imagination wants to stir up the worst-case scenarios, which is the devil trying to shake my faith in God’s promises. Did God not give me this promise?

 ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

I believe Ed is the future God promised.

Which brings up another point. Being in a new relationship, my focus tends to lean heavily in that direction. Is God testing my faith like he did Abraham when he asked him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac?  Is he testing their faith for reasons I don't know? 

Whatever the purpose of this new test of faith, I’m leaving both Ed and my sister in God’s hands, standing firm in my faith in God’s promises. God never revokes a promise.

“… do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10.

Yes, Lord. I believe. Amen. 

Troubled Water

The dribble of issues I faced last week have become a flood. News is still pending regarding my job interview for a non-temp position with full benefits. Those are precious commodities when you don't have them. Then, my dad's prostate cancer biopsy was yesterday, coupled with the news my mother was taken into the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. There is a mystery mass encompassing most of her abdominal cavity. May or may not be cancerous, the jury is still out on that. She sees the specialist on Tuesday, about the same time frame I will hear back on the job - and my dad's biopsy. Troubled water, indeed.

All the rainbows I related in last week's post, Rainbows, Miracles and Promises, were reminders from a compassionate God that He will be with me during these storms, as He has been for all of my life. These signs and reminders pop up prior to a difficult event, a forewarning, giving me a chance to brace myself.  Sometimes they herald a miraculous delivery, other times they are meant to comfort and encourage. I am not sure if there will be a miracle in any of the above situations, but I do know I won't face them alone.

This morning the devotional meditation in Living Faith is titled: Someone to Watch Over Me. God does watch over us, picking us up when we fall, holding and comforting us when we hurt. You do see, for you behold misery and sorrow, taking them in your hands. Psalm 10:14.

Streams in the Desert for today: When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved...Keep up your courage, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as He told me." Acts 27:25.

When is it time to trust God?

When the waves beat high,

When storm clouds fill the sky,

and prayer is one long cry, 

"Oh, help and save!"

Streams in  the Desert,  selected

And so I search the dark stormy sky for that hint of sunlight, the rainbow of God's compassion bursting against the dark. I hear strains of the song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow and know His comforting arms surround my loved ones, and me. Regardless of the outcome of these situations, they will come from Him and they serve a purpose I may not understand, but I can trust. 

And Then Came a Lion

There have been a lot of references to lions in my devotions, once again. The most thought provoking was from 1 Samuel 17:34: And then came a lion.  When King David was just a boy tending his father's sheep, he fought off many wild animals, including a lion. David saw them as opportunities to trust God and either moved forward to meet the challenge or stood his ground, ready to defend, unlike myself. I am more inclined to run for the closest tree, even though I know it is useless. (I've seen pictures of lions in trees.)  

At this moment a major disaster is crouching, waiting for the opportunity to strike. My temp job is shaky. I do not have any form of health care, retirement benefits, or life insurance. I know it is useless to worry over something that might happen, and yet, my mind creates a myriad of what if scenarios. If I would only reflect back, I could recall numerous financial disasters diverted at the last moment, health issues mysteriously evaporating in spite of the doctors' prognosis, and more. Oh, so much more. But, my mind lists toward the negative rather than the positive and it takes a great deal of effort to reign in those scary images.


However, right now, at this exact moment, there are no disasters or crises, and I need to focus on that, ignoring what might be on the horizon. Storms (and lions) can change direction, or go away, never coming close. And, when the storm does strike (sometimes at the same time the lion charges) I need to remember God never changes. His promises never change, and He will give me the courage, the strength and the wisdom to find shelter in the storm, face my lion and defeat him.  For you, O Lord, singularly have settled me in hope. Psalm 4: 10