Too Good To Not Believe
Too Good To Not Believe
as believers we often pray to have courage like esther or david, but forget it was through wildnerness seasons and great suffering they were positioned to be used mightily by god.
Trusting God is still good despite our circumstances can be tough, but as followers of Jesus He is faithful to show us the way.
“WHAT IS FAITH?
Hebrews 11:1(AMP) Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].
I’ve been reading through the Bible in One Year again this year with my husband and I got to say, I’m in Judges and it’s a bit heavy going whoa?! Anybody else relate?! Haha I do prefer the New Testament, yet God has been teaching me His grace and mercy and how the Old Testament is so critical for us to understand our need for a Saviour. We know there is nothing new under the sun, yet somehow I find myself still surprised by the evil I see in the world around me…
Every, Single. Day.
It can really get to a person to wonder is God really good? Where is He in all of this mess?
I know as believers we often pray to have courage like Esther or David, but can forget that it was through wilderness seasons and great suffering that they were positioned to be used mightily by God.
Ever notice that there is a sweetness in the nearness of God in our wilderness seasons and trials of this life? When we lean on Him and His understanding, we are better able to navigate the situation we are in the middle of. What if we choose to have a perspective shift and look at what God is teaching us in the midst of what we are going through? Remember, Romans 8:28 says “ And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.”
God promises to never leave us and to never forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). So why do we panic and try to take matters into our hands when life gets messy?
I know first hand the journey of living life by faith and being on the roller coaster where you cannot see the next twist or turn or loop-de-loop. But I see it as we can choose to have the mindset and perspective that God is working behind the scenes and will see me through, or I can trust the ways of the world and lean on my own understanding – which leads me to worry; stress; not sleep; fret; and talk more that I pray about the situation… all not helpful strategies to say the least.
I’ve often reflected on those heroes of the faith that have gone before me when I am in messy, trying situations and this quote often reminds me where my focus needs to shift back to.
“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.
Such a simple, but profound reminder that God knows the future – we do not. We can predict or foretell how something will turn out no matter how much we think we can control the situation.
God reminds us of this in one of my favourite scriptures…
Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
Does our perspective make God good or bad??
No. God is always good.
“For the LORD is good; His loving kindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations.”
I often say ‘our perspective doesn’t make it reality’. So when we look at the situation around us or that we are going through… we can see the good God is bringing from it and choose to be grateful… or we can stay stuck in our misery. When we get to heaven, we won’t be able to praise God in the midst of the hard stuff will we?? We only get to do it in this one life we get to live on earth.
Who and what do you surround yourself with daily? This too can significantly impact our perspectives. I encourage you to find a mentor, to listen to encouraging podcasts and sermons that will build and challenge your faith. Have worship music playing in your home – it shifts the atmosphere around you and your spirit will be worshipping God as you go about everything you are doing all throughout the day! (we often have K-Love playing on our big home computer in the background and have been for years. It’s amazing how much seeps in and it’s always encouraging and uplifting!) And to be mindful to reduce the noise and chatter that is constantly trying to bombard us and distract us and delay us from the purposes God has created us to step into. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10) – are you in awe of who God is and recognize that He is Holy (Isa 57:15) and He is Love (1John 4:16)?
Have a read through Philippines 4 and really let it marinate and saturate your heart and mind dear brothers and sisters, it will encourage you and I believe will help you to train your mind and your heart to keep your focus on Jesus, as you hold His hand in all that is to come. Write out any verses that Holy Spirit highlights to you and pop them on a mirror or on the fridge and let God’s Word wash over you and renew your mind.
Another story that really struck a chord decades ago, that still stays with me is regarding how we perceive our situations…
There is two prisoners. One looked out and saw mud, the other stars. Whatever our situation, we can choose to look for the good and keep our eyes on Jesus – the author and finisher of our faith and trust that He loves us and trusts us enough to walk through the situation and come out stronger and more resilient than before.
Ephesians 1:18
“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance”.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:18
“To open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me.’
Romans 2:4
“Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?”
Job 42:5
“My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.”
Isaiah 11:2
“The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him–the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.”
I find it also encouraging to remember this scripture…
“For those whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”
So I challenge each of you reading this to a ‘Grateful Heart Challenge’… no matter what is happening around you right now… let’s take courage and choose to focus our eyes on Jesus and to name at least 3 things you are thankful for in the moment of being aware you are super stressed and breathe – reminding yourself the Holy Spirit is that close to you… that you literally have the breath of God inside of you and that all of Heaven is cheering for you to finish the race well!
God is up to soooo much good in you and in me- but we need to have a perspective shift to see things from a heavenly perspective and that God sees the long game. Yes, we live in a broken, fallen world full of consequences and sadness and pain and suffering… but we know there will be a day soon that we will be welcomed into our Father’s loving arms and I long to hear Him say… “Well done, good and faithful daughter” – how about you?
Here are the lyrics of this song that is on my heart to share with you all that Brandon Lake said this about his personal experience in writing this song… “The God of the Bible is still the wonder-working God who is alive and moving today on this earth healing, redeeming, resurrecting and restoring. There’s nothing that our God can’t do. Name it. Don’t you tell me He can’t do it.”
I’ve seen Your power
And I’ve seen You heal
And I’ve seen miracles my mind can’t comprehend
And there is beauty in what I can’t understand
Jesus, it’s You, Jesus, it’s You
You’re the wonder-working God
All the miracles I’ve seen
Too good to not believe
You’re the wonder-working God
And You heal because You love
Oh, the miracles we’ll see
You’re too good to not believe
Too good to not believe, ayy-ayy
But just the mention of Your name can raise the dead
So all the glory to the only One who can
Jesus, it’s You, Jesus, it’s You
You’re the wonder-working God
All the miracles I’ve seen
Too good to not believe
After everything I’ve seen
You’re too good to not believe (I believe it)
Too good to not believe (Oh, I believe it)
Too good to not believe (Oh, You’re too good to not believe)
After everything I’ve seen (Oh, oh-oh)
Too good to not believe
Oh, how my eyes have seen it, oh-oh
Oh, You’re too good to not believe
You’re too good to not believe, woah
I’ve seen metal plates dissolve
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
‘Cause I’ve seen real life resurrection
I’ve seen mental health restored
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
‘Cause I’ve seen families reunited
I’ve seen prodigals return
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
‘Cause I’ve seen troubled souls delivered
I’ve seen addicts finally free
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
We’ll see cities in revival
And salvation flood the streets
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
We’ll see glory fill the nations
Like the world has never seen
Don’t you tell me He can’t do it
‘Cause I know that He can (Don’t you tell me He can’t do it)
Be blessed brothers and sisters 😊 Praying for you!
By Candace Foy
(Wellbeing & Renewal Health Coach)
By Candace Foy
(Wellbeing & Renewal Health Coach)