I am in a season of sudden shake-up. My career was headed in one nice and easy direction and I had a new relationship that was trucking nicely along. That was until one day when a huge client opportunity turned out to be a scam and my brand new boyfriend changed his mind about dating me.
It was a whirlwind. God did not just remove some distractions from my life. No. He slammed these doors shut right in my face just as I was happily waltzing through them.
Needless to say, I had a good cry. I had a certain vision for my life that I suddenly found myself having to rewrite. Ok, new client gone. But I still have my full-time career. And the new exciting boyfriend is gone, but I still have my identity in Christ. It could have been worse. It really could. But, boy was I hurting.
A good deal of the pain came from the fact that I had prayed tirelessly over these two things. I really wanted that job and I really wanted that boyfriend. I have done my fair share of blowing through God’s warnings and “no’s” enough to understand the consequences.
So this time I was going to listen. I was going to hear what God was telling me and I was going to follow His directions. When all signals seemed to be pointing to “yes”, I pursued both.
To be honest, I still don’t really understand where I went wrong in these two situations. But, that’s another conversation with God to be figured out in another post. I had to keep bringing myself back to what I DO know. I do know that God is not the author of confusion. I know that God does not put His children in hurtful situations just for entertainment.
There is a purpose. I know that God is the Great Physician that can totally heal my scars.
If you find yourself in a season of sudden shake-up, turn to Psalm 139, and proclaim these 3 truths over your life.
You have searched me Lord and you know me. Psalm 139:1
No one knows you better than God. No one. He knows the desires of your heart. He knows mine are to have a successful career and a Godly husband. God does not dangle what you want in front of you to take it away just for fun. When you ask for a husband, He will not give you a snake.
You hem me in behind and before, and you lay you hand upon me. Psalm 139:5
This may be my favorite passage in the whole Bible. I find so much comfort in it. The language may sound a little funny, but what it means is that God goes everywhere before you go there. And He follows you everywhere you go. He is behind and before you at all times. AND He places His hand of blessing on your head always.
Can you imagine? Even when you don’t understand what the heck is going on, God is not only ahead of you, but right behind you supporting you, while simultaneously giving you His blessing.
Now, tell me, how can that confusion and chaos can get the best of you now?
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me where written in your book before one of them came to be. – Psalm 139:16.
Now, here is where we really get into some affirming Biblical truth. God already already knew and chose what was going to happen next- a long time ago. He’s never caught off guard by anything that happens to us.
For it is exactly at the moment- when you were unformed and God was creating you with love overflowing from his hands, that he wrote this-and every- part of your story.
For some serious healing, call on your Great Physician. Use the balm of Gilead that He has so graciously given you. Read through all of Psalm 139. Don’t worry it’s not too long. But replace every “me” with your first name and pray this psalm over yourself. God will hear you. And he will be pleased with your prayer.
That is a truth you can count on when you can’t count on anything else.
- 3 Truths to Proclaim When Your Life Takes a Sudden Turn - September 5, 2017
