Making a big life change is never easy, especially when it comes with financial challenges, emotions, and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. For many of us, stepping out in faith feels right at first, but as time goes on, the peace we once felt can become clouded by anxiety. This has been my experience.
When the timeline feels urgent but God’s timing seems unclear, how do we find the balance between trusting God and managing our own fears? I am asking myself by the way.
Not long ago, I felt at peace with my decision to move to Alaska. Everything seemed to align: a long-time dream rekindled, a sense of adventure, and the hope of a new chapter in my life. I believed this was where God was leading me. But about three weeks ago, that peace began to slip away, replaced by anxiety. And then my dog got very sick and then my house has shown only 1 time in 2½ weeks and I wonder: “What’s going on Father?”
The financial pressures of selling my property, the emotional weight of leaving behind a lifetime’s worth of relationships, and the overwhelming logistics of starting over have made me question whether I have God’s blessing, or if I have misunderstood His voice.
I have discovered that it is so easy to confuse peace with the absence of challenges. I also feel the flip side of that: anxiety with the absence of God’s clear guidance. But the truth is, peace and uncertainty can exist together! They often do. The peace that comes from God is not necessarily the absence of fear or struggle, it is the deep assurance that He is with us in the middle of it all.
When I started writing this morning, I thought I would lean into the story of Gideon, but suddenly I am reminded of Paul.
The Apostle Paul wrote about peace and contentment:
"…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Paul had a deep understanding of finding peace in God, no matter his circumstances. He had learned the secret of contentment; he trusted in Christ for strength and provision, even when life was uncertain. This speaks directly to my heart regarding trusting God in my own journey.
But Paul didn’t have it so bad, right? That is why it was easy for him to trust, correct?
Au contraire!! Paul knew struggles intimately.
Paul’s life and ministry were marked by incredible hardships, yet he continued to trust in God and press on in faith. Paul endured numerous trials, and he was open about the difficulties he faced.
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 he wrote: "…I am talking like a madman—with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure…" ESV
Five times beaten with “forty lashes less one.”
Three times beaten with rods.
Once stoned.
Three times shipwrecked
A night and a day drift at sea
In danger from rivers
Danger from robbers
Danger from his own people
Danger from Gentiles
Danger in the city
Danger in the wilderness
Danger at sea
Danger from false brothers
Toil and hardship
Sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst
Often without food
In cold and exposure.
Think about all those hard, harrowing experiences! Just wow.
I would be asking, “Lord, what is going on here? Why me?!?” But that is not what Paul said.
Paul said, “I have learned to be content.”
Paul also speaks of a "thorn in the flesh"; a personal struggle or weakness that he endured, which God allowed for a purpose. What was the purpose? The answer is in 2 Corinthians 12:7: "So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited." ESV
The “thorn” was a safeguard against pride. This ‘thorn’ ensured that Paul remained grounded despite the remarkable spiritual experiences he encountered. I believe humility is essential in our relationship with God and in our service to others. He had to remain humble.
Paul's life was filled with persecution, imprisonment, physical suffering, and emotional hardship. Yet, through all of it, he remained steadfast in his faith, confident that God was at work in his life. I want that kind of faith, at all times!
Paul’s struggles did not diminish his trust in Christ, they deepened it! He leaned on God's strength rather than his own.
I want to close with this thought.
Acts chapter 16 tells of the time when Paul and Silas were imprisoned for preaching the Gospel.
Verses 22-24:
"The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks."
Is there no end to their suffering? And yet, what did they do?? In the very next verse: “…at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 NKJV
Friend, are you in a midnight hour? Pray. Do your spirits need lifted? Sing. But more importantly be aware, that others are watching you and listening to you. Be faithful. And don’t be afraid.
by Jeanette Stark – Thursday, October 10, 2024
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