where I am right now

Do you ever feel unsatisfied with yourself?
     I don't necessarily mean the pretty much ever-present feeling that you'd like a different nose, or you want to get more sleep at night, or whatever. I mean an overwhelming desire to change multiple aspects of your life.
     Sometimes I stop and think about everything I'm doing wrong - I'm not going to bed early enough, I'm not doing my homework on time (or I'm cramming and not doing my best), I'm not getting up early enough in the morning, I don't have all the clothes I want, my income is scanty ($64 a month dissolves so easily and quickly, somehow). I don't think of others enough. I complain a lot. I don't have as much energy as I want to have. I don't exercise enough. I'm not completely satisfied with my appearance. The list goes on. And sometimes I just wish I could press a button or wave a magic wand and tada! my life is perfect.
     That's definitely not how it works, though. And it's SO HARD. Because most of those things are good things! Things I should want! I'll be honest, it's discouraging to realize that I can't just decide I'm going to wake up earlier and then DO IT. It takes prayer and faith and hard work and perseverance.
     Another reason that it's hard is because it's part of the process of sanctification. And sanctification is one of the hardest things in the world to go through. It takes immense trust (yet another thing I don't have), and I just want God to hand me some kind of certificate or something that says "Congratulations! You have achieved the highest standard of _________!"

Examining this post now, I realize that I'm not doing too well with patience. :/

But it's okay, because of who I am in Christ - I am saved, I'm a saint, I'm God's daughter, I'm beloved, and I'm guaranteed eternal life and happiness.

One minute I'm despairing about how much I need to change and how unsatisfied I am with myself, and the next breath I'm motivated and pleased with where I am. Funny how my emotions fluctuate like that. Thank goodness there's a never-changing God who unconditionally loves me for who I am.

Happy Wednesday :)
Sarah 

on and on and on and on it goes

God's love. Infinite, eternal, unconditional, perfect, superlative.

     I've always believed that. I've taken it for granted, really. I've sung and believed Jesus Loves Me for as long as I can remember. I never thought it was something that I "struggled" with. Sure, I struggled with other things, but knowing God loves me? Naw. Never. That's easy to believe.
     Or is it?
Recently, as I have grappled with the merciless unrelenting taskmaster that is school, as well as other areas of my life that require self-discipline, I've failed again and again. It's inevitable. I'm human, I like to think I'm self-sufficient, and I start to wonder unconsciously whether God still loves me after I've failed to read such and such a book for school or go to bed at a reasonable hour. I say "unconsciously" because until a maybe a week ago, I didn't realize I was doubting God's love for me. I knew something was wrong but wasn't sure what. And even when I realized it initially, I prayed about it and then kind of forgot about it. But just last weekend I went to Planet Wisdom, a Christian student conference, with my youth group. It was an amazing time of learning about all kinds of relationships, laughing much and often, and worshipping with amazing songs and an amazing band. One of the songs in particular, "One Thing" by Jesus Culture, really hit me hard. I'm talking on my knees, crying kind of "hit me hard." The Holy Spirit literally inside of me "hit me hard."

Higher than the mountains that I face

Stronger than the power of the grave

Constant through the trial and the change

One thing remains

One thing remains

Your love never fails 

it never gives up 

it never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes

It overwhelms and satisfies my soul

And I never ever have to be afraid

One thing remains

Your love never fails 

it never gives up 

it never runs out on me

In death and in life I'm confident and covered by the power of your great love

My debt is paid there's nothing that can separate my heart from your great love

The part I put in bold was IT. God's love goes on and on and on and that I never have to be afraid? I thought I knew that, but. . . wow. I always get overwhelmed when I sing that. It was God's way of showing me that he really does love me all the time, whatever I do, no matter WHAT. Unconditional. That's what it is. It's never ending, doesn't depend on anything I do or don't do. 

IT NEVER ENDS. 

EVER.

IN MY LIFE.

(It's always a good idea to use a (paraphrased) quote from "Up" to drive a point home).

But reeeally, it doesn't depend on how bad I'm doing (or how great I'm doing, on the other hand). The following lyrics from Jenny Simmon's song "This I Know" basically sums up the struggle of trusting God's love:

When it comes to being free, I am my own worst enemy

'Cause I can criticize every move I make

I've got a microscope on my mistakes

And I steal glory from the One who made me me

I know the words, but help me believe

Jesus loves me, this I know

And I know it's not because of anything I've done

This love is unconditional

So at my worst, and at my best

You don't love me less, you can't love me more

This I know for sure

Never worried or impressed by any failure or success

'Cause I know somehow, some way I'll make You smile

You can not help but love Your child

So I can sing this song to You

You never change your mind about it

And I don't know why I ever doubt it

     As it is always with God's promises, it's comforting to know that you are safe in God's love, and that he will NEVER leave you (insert selfsame "Up" quote here). 

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 

1 John 4:8

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 

1 John 4:18

-Sarah :)

wednesday verse

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:3

do not worry about tomorrow

 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34

     Lately I have been looking at colleges and considering possible majors, looking at scholarships, et cetera (and yes, it's true I'm only a sophomore in high school). I often worry about my grades far too much (what if my GPA isn't high enough to get into a good college?), and about how well I'll do in PSATs and SATs and all that. 

     I have to constantly remind myself of the verse above. The truth is that God already knows what my GPA will be. He already knows whether I will go to college or not, and if so he knows what college I'm going to end up in. He knows what I'll major in, and how I will use (or maybe not use) that to get a job after college. I have all my current plans and hopes for the future laid out, but he knows which ones will be realized and which ones aren't in HIS plan. 

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

     So why worry? "Each day has enough trouble of it's own." Honestly, I don't really have the time or energy to worry about what's going to happen in three years. I'm too busy with the next three hours. So, I'll do my best at what's in front of me right now, and wait and see what God has for me later. 

-Sarah :)

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

fiery trial part 6 (blessings)

     We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for your mighty hand to ease our suffering

     

     As I continue further along the path of suffering, it's easy for me to focus my attention on how I am being disappointed again and again. It's easy to give up trying to be strong – trying to make it through. 

     Far too easy. And far too tempting.

I want what I want, and I want God to give it to me! Why should I try to conform my will to his, when I'm sure he can't know best?

All the while You hear each spoken need

Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

The thing is, he does know best. I have to believe that. I am starting to, but it's hard. I would even be tempted to say it's too hard.

     But even as I'm writing this, I'm realizing that I have been depending too much on my own strength to make it through this trial. What makes me think I can carry myself through something I didn't even bring about? Am I that full of myself, that I would assign that much power to myself? It's a problem all Christians face at one time or another. We try to handle things by ourselves. But we can't handle things by ourselves. 

     It's not my place to take over; to be sovereign. It is my place, however, to fill myself with Jesus, who is sovereign, and with the power that he gives me to walk through my suffering. Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” I will not stop putting my hope and trust in Jesus. I know he will fight for me. 

     I know that what I am experiencing will result in his blessings. He will give me something much greater than anything I could ever imagine. I must believe that. I must keep my eyes on Jesus. 

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops

What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

Are what it takes to know You're near

And what if trials of this life

Are Your mercies in disguise?

     I look forward to the wonderful things God has in store for me. I pray that he will give me the strength and wisdom to keep walking in the path he has set for me, without looking back. It is exhausting to think about the whys of the doings of God; he is incomprehensible, and as such, I will not try to understand his reasons for directing my life the way he does. 

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

     It's all that I can do to keep these beliefs from dashing to pieces. I have to fight to keep my eyes on Jesus. But I'm fighting with his power, not my own. Romans 8:31 says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" I sing songs about God's love for me and his sovereignty, sometimes just to remind my doubting heart that it's true. 

     It is true, even if that seems hopelessly preposterous. It's not. There is a purpose, and God is working all things out for my good because I love him. 

What if my greatest disappointments

Or the aching of this life

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

     And so, I lean on Jesus, knowing that he loves me and that he wants and intends to bless me. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” - Lamentations 3:22-24. 

And what if trials of this life

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights

 Are Your mercies in disguise?

Blessings - Laura Story

-Sarah :)

the fiery trial

     I'm here to post about my fiery trial.

Nota bene: In this post, I will not be pouring out my woes or using my blog as a medium to complain to all of my readers. I am simply using this example in my own life as a testimony to what our Father can do with the trials he allows to enter our lives.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. . . Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. . . Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 16, 19

 
     I have been struggling recently with a certain trial that has come into my life. As far as I can see right now, I will not be able to do something that I want to do more than anything I can think of. Most of the time, I'm able to live my life normally, and forget about this desire to do something I can not do. But I can not avoid conversation that pertains to this, as it surely does up often. Once I am reminded of it, I can get overwhelmed by disappointment and anger. It's then that my view of God and of my faith starts to change.

     I have found myself asking, "if God loves me, why would he do this to me?" I have started to doubt God's love at times, and it's scary because I have heard of people asking that same question, and regard it as a "trial cliche" of sorts. My thought-process usually went something like this:

   

"I would never doubt God's love! After all, I'm a Christian, and the Bible clearly states that God loves us! Why is it so hard for those people who are going through trials to understand that?!"

    

      I have since learned that it is hard. Extremely so! I can lose perspective so easily, and just keep my eyes on what I want. That's when the world seems to come crashing down; when my world comes apart. All I want is that thing that I can't believe I'm not getting. That's all that I can see.

     But that's not all there is.

It's so important to remember that God isn't confined to my plan for my life! There is so much more that only God can see. I want him to say that I can do this thing! That I can have what I want! That this would be the best thing for me to do! God loves to give us good gifts, right? Yes – but, in truth, he knows what's good for us better than we do.

Here in this waiting room

Yearning for You to say go

And though I'm convinced that a yes would be best

This time You're telling me no

     Like I said before, it's hard! One time I considered bitterly how perfect my trial was for me. God gave me a great experience, let me look forward to the next time it could happen, and allowed me to be disappointed.

      But it's crucial to remember that God didn't do this out of hatred, or whatever! He's doing it out of love for me, and out of his infinite wisdom.

It's not that I don't have an answer

It's just not the one that I'd like

But through this time Lord I must keep in mind

You're always wiser than I

   
     God still loves me! He does. Even when he says that I can't have something I want. Think about it this way.

     God can see my entire life as, say, a map, showing every single thing that has happened and will happen from the day I was born until the day I die. He also sees me, walking along the little path on that map. He sees me experience something that he planned for me to do, and he sees me enjoy it to the fullest. 

     Sounds great! God loves it. I love it. Life is good! Here's when I start to see a little bit differently than God, the one who's holding and drawing that map of my life.

     I'm walking along this little path, and all I can see ahead is that thing that I want. I start running towards it: thinking about it, preparing for it, expecting it. And then, a big wall just drops down right in front of it. BOOM. The path suddenly starts leading me to the side. The wall made the path turn. Looking down the new path, I see a really, really dark forest. I can't see anything that remotely resembles what the wall blocked off; that thing that I wanted so much. Doesn't look promising.

     I start to walk down this path. In some strange way, that wall keeps following me, all the while blocking off what I want. 

     OK, maybe omnipresent walls is where the analogy ends.

The point is, As I walk through this dark forest of my life, I keep wanting to bang my head against that wall. To fight for what I want. To somehow break through the difficulty. To make it through and carry out my plan for my life after all.

     Meanwhile, God is watching me writhe in discontentment and disappointment, and then looks over farther down that path that I'm walking down. There's a wonderful surprise up there. A "light at the end of the tunnel." THERE IS ONE!!!!!! There is one. And God is guiding me to it. It's OK to leave my "wonderful" plan behind, because there's something so much better than that up ahead. Something better than that! It must be really something!!!! I'm reminded of a quote from Corrie ten Boom about God guiding us: "If God sends us on strong paths, we are provided strong shoes." God knows we can't do this alone. He knows!

     

'Cause you have a much better purpose

And You have a far greater plan

And You have a bigger perspective

 'Cause You hold this world in Your hands

     Please realize that I really am struggling. I'm not quite to the point where I can believe totally and completely that God has something better ahead for me. That's partly why I'm writing this all down; to impregnate myself in this truth. It's hard to let go of my plan. So very hard. But I know God will get me there. And he will also help me to not entertain any doubts about his plan for me. He will help me to trust that there is nothing better than what he has prepared for me to do.

The things that I seek are from You

Like the strong healing touch of Your hand

But when You say no, help me trust even though

There's a reason I can't understand

      I'd like to think of Job, and the way he responded to his trials. (In case you are not familiar with the story of Job in the Bible, Job was a man who lost literally everything he had, even his health, as a test from God. Because God loved Job!) Though Job was experiencing deep pain and heartache, he said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” That's the way I want to respond! God can help me do that. 

     There will come a time when I'm through that dark forest and at the wonderful surprise. Right now, by the power of God, I'm choosing to look to Jesus and not lose perspective. I'm choosing to believe that what's up ahead is incredibly good. I'm deciding, should God see fit to have me experience another tribulation farther along in my life, that I will bless his name and believe that he is wonderful and sovereign, regardless of how I'm feeling.

     Aren't you glad that God doesn't fluctuate with our emotions? I sure am.

That's my story. That's where I am right now. I know, as Chris Tomlin's lovely song, "How Can I Keep From Singing" says, "I know I am loved by the King, and it makes my heart want to sing!" By God's grace, I "can sing in my troubled times." There's no reason for me to be cast down; I'm simply adjusting to a plan-change. While this is painful, it is not too painful for my Father to handle. He can carry my burdens for me. He wants to.

     Please be encouraged by the truth in this post; not that anything I wrote is so very spectacular. God gave me this post. He made the words flow out of my fingertips and onto the keyboard so that I can hopefully bless all of my readers. We are all on a journey; a pilgrimage. We're all going to face sloughs of despond and valleys of the shadow of death. But God's our Father, and we're alive and strong in him! And we can look forward to everlasting relief from trials in heaven. Forever happiness.

When that miracle comes 'cause Your answer is yes

I will praise You for all of my days

But when Your wisdom declares that a no is best

I will praise You just the same

"Waiting Room" by Jonny Diaz

 God bless you!

-Sarah :)

     

Isaiah 43:1-7 (my favorite trial passage)

But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
    he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
     I have called you by name, you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you. 

For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
I give Egypt as your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in exchange for you.   

Because you are precious in my eyes,
    and honored, and I love you,
I give men in return for you,
    peoples in exchange for your life.
Fear not, for I am with you;
     I will bring your offspring from the east,
    and from the west I will gather you. 

 I will say to the north, Give up,
    and to the south, Do not withhold;
bring my sons from afar
    and my daughters from the end of the earth, 

 everyone who is called by my name,
    whom I created for my glory,
    whom I formed and made.”

Children of God and the Mystery of God's Love

     Recently I have really enjoyed listening to a song by Third Day called "Children of God." Listen to it here; it's a great song.

     The main reason I love it is because it's a wonderful reminder of the truth about us, Christians: we ARE God's children! True, we are still going to sin (the presence of sin in our lives will exist until we arrive in heaven), but the guilty record of that sin is no longer ours. Jesus took it on himself when he died on the cross, so "there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) Enough with the silly question of "why would God love ME?! I'm a sinner, deserving of his wrath!" It's just a lie, really. We AREN'T deserving of his wrath, anymore!!! He has saved us from his wrath! That's the point. 

     The song I linked to above has a line in there about it: "He has proven his love."We don't need to wonder why God would love us. We don't need to know why; it's enough to just know he does.  The truth is, we don't know everything about God, and it's not up to us to unravel every mystery about him. We will NEVER fully understand God, even when we get to heaven. Another song about this comes to mind (I don't know who it's by but it's a really good song). The line that sticks out to me is: "But the one thing I don't question is You; You really love me, like You say You do." This is only one of the beautiful things about our Lord Jesus; we don't have to know everything and "do it ourselves." All we have to do is give our lives to God and act like the children we are; his children. What a freeing concept!

     Now, I'm not saying that we shouldn't strive to know God better and grow closer to him. Far from it. We SHOULD be growing in our knowledge of God, and fellowshipping with other believers to seek God love him more! It's just that there are some things about God that are mysteries, and maybe some of them will be uncovered when we get to heaven.

     So. As Christians, we are God's sons and daughters, and God loves us. We don't need to know everything about God, or why God loves us. He just does, and that's enough for our weak, mortal brains to think about. All we need to do is give our whole lives to him to take care of. He can do it so much better than we ever could. :) 

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

One of your sisters in Christ's big family, 

-Sarah :)

     

     

trust God and choose righteousness

     Last night, I was up till 11:30 studying biology (for an 8:00 a.m. class the next morning). It was really strenuous; I was so tired, and all of a sudden I got so overwhelmed with the many pages and many, many terms that needed to be studied and memorized. I cried out to God for help, and then, believing he would help me, I put my head back down and studied some more.
     But why did I have to, as they say, "cram"? Why had I waited until the night before to suddenly pack all of that knowledge into my brain? I had procrastinated, and now I had to endure the consequences. I always knew I spent too much time on the computer, and easily got distracted with something my sisters were doing, but I hadn't really known how to fix this.
     My sister, who is a seasoned Christian with a vast store of wisdom, offered me some advice in this situation as we were studying together last night. She said that when we know we are doing something wrong (in this case, procrastinating), we should try to fix it in the future by trusting God to help us do that. But she also said that we can't just trust God, we also have to be diligent in our work and choose righteousness. We have to sow the the Holy Spirit, and obey God as we trust him.
     This morning when I woke up, I prayed that God would help me to trust him and to choose righteousness today. By his grace, today I feel like I have been really productive in my school. Looking back on the day, I remember certain times when I consciously chose righteousness. It's amazing to see what God can do with our lives! I am so thankful that he answered my prayer, and look forward to many more productive, work-filled days working for his glory.

     In what ways has God helped you when you struggle in a certain area? Please comment and let me know, I'd love to hear your stories!

-Sarah :)

new year musings

     Yesterday was the last day of 2011. Today is the first day of the year 2012––a fresh new year, the first two months of which will be filled with writing "2011" on biology quizzes and then erasing it because it isn't 2011 anymore.

      I would like to post a quote from one of my favorite books (Anne's House of Dreams - in the Anne of Green Gables series).

"I reckon that whatever the New Year brings us will be the best the Great Captain has for us––and somehow or other we'll all make port in a good harbor."

     I love thinking of the New Year this way. The new year is filled with the best that God, or the "Great Captain," has for us. God only has the best in store for us! Doesn't that make you feel so secure?

     It's this true security, security that comes from casting your cares on God, that assures us that the best is in store for us, and that we will "all make port in a good harbor."

     My new year's resolution is to live every day to the fullest, to the glory of God. I want to run for the eternal prize, like Paul talks about in Philippians 3:14: I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 


     Happy new year, everyone! What are some of your new year's resolutions?

-Sarah :)

"The Heavens Declare the Glory of God. . .

. . .and the sky above proclaims His handiwork."

     I wasn't thinking about Psalm 19:1 when I was lying in bed last night, retreating to the depths of the covers in an attempt to drown out the sound of the loudest thunder I have ever heard. I was thinking more along the lines of what I could think about instead, to take my mind off of the monstrous noises that seemed to penetrate my window. I wondered, "Is Jesus going to come back?" Somehow I wasn't all that ready for Him to come. I was afraid.

     Psalm 19:1, as well as another passage from Psalms that comes to mind. . .

"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; what can flesh do to me?" - Psalm 56:3-4

. . .would have been a good thing to think about. Knowing that the thunder was a declaration of God's power, rather than something that seemed to be out of His control, would have enough to put my mind at ease. I pray that next time I am in that kind of situation, I will remember the words of God! The heavens declare the glory of God, they are not outside of his glory. When I am afraid of anything, I can trust God and not be afraid.

I hope this encourages you,

-Sarah :)

peace

Peace

You give me peace

When the storms come, and I'm afraid

Peace

You give me peace

When I trust in the words You say

You give me peace

If You can calm the seas

Then You can comfort me

If winds obey Your voice

Why should I fear their noise?

And though my eyes can't see

I know You're with me

When someone starts to fight

And does things I don't like

I hear Your gentle voice 

Saying I have a choice

To make an enemy 

Or to spread Your peace

Peace | Sovereign Grace Music

Trust and Faith

Once, when I was reading in Romans, I came across this passage that spoke to me.

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was "counted to him as righteousness."

Romans 4:20-22

Trusting in God made Abraham's faith stronger! It says that he was "fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised". I know that I could grow in being "fully convinced". I need to just trust that God will always do what he promises.

the power of prayer and scripture

I have been learning about the power of prayer a lot lately. I have needed to pray for so many things that I don't have power to do anything else about. Prayer is my only weapon against the enemy right now.

Isn't prayer a wonderful thing? To be able to talk to the all-powerful God who is in control of everything, is amazing to me. And he loves to listen to us. He loves when we call on him for help. 'Cause, believe it or not, we actually can't run the universe! He is in control no matter how much we think we have it all down.

Which is a comforting truth, I think. The universe doesn't fall apart when we fail! It would be really bad if it did because we fail very, very often. We can't do it. But God can!

When we pray about trials and for help through them, we are giving our own strength up to God. We are admitting that we can't win against the devil without God's strength. I feel so safe when I cast my cares on Jesus! The enemy just can't win over the Lord!

My mom showed me Psalm 144 the other day. It's great to pray it. Sometimes I paraphrased it to match what my circumstances are when I prayed it. Here are verses 1-2, 5-11.

Blessed be the LORD, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

he is my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues peoples under me.

Bow your heavens, O LORD, and come down!

Touch the mountains so that they smoke!

Flash forth lightning and scatter them;

send out your arrows and rout them!

Stretch out your hand from on high;

rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,

from the hand of foreigners,

whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

I will sing a new song to you, O God;

upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to you,

who gives victory to kings,

who rescues David his servant from the cruel sword.

Rescue me and deliver me from the hands of foreigners,

whose mouths speak lies and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

God's power is so clearly shown in this Psalm! Especially in the middle paragraph, I think his power is shown. With a touch, he makes the mountains smoke! He can flash forth lightning! And he can rescue us from the many waters of trials.

I hope this encouraged you!

- Sarah :)

TRUSTING GOD

On Christ the solid Rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand

That's a truth that I have been reminded of recently. I have had to trust God a lot, because he is sovereign, even though my situation is scary. I know that even though circumstances change, God never changes. The verses I posted earlier have helped me:

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob,

he who formed you, O Israel:

"Fear not, for I have redeemed yuo;

I have called you by name, you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;

when you walk though fire you shall not be burned,

and the flame shall not consume you.

For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

I give Egypt as your ransom,

Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

Because you are precious in my eyes,

and honored, and I love you,

I give men in return for you,

people in exchange for your life.

This has never failed to encourage me. God will never leave me; I can trust him. I am "precious in his eyes, and honored, and he loves me." I can lean on him for support and strength. He will never, never, ever forsake me.

In Christ alone my hope is found

He is my life, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

when fears are stilled, when strivings cease

my comforter, my All in All

here in the love of Christ I stand

-In Christ Alone | Keith and Kristyn Getty

I can see little pieces of truth and comfort in worship songs and in Scripture. God is overwhelming me with grace and peace and comfort. Praise Jesus!

- Sarah :)