When Things Go Awry

If I were to tell you a secret, I think you would see that you shared in my

secret. What if I were to tell you that I secretly struggle with having

faith in God’s plans when things go awry? It’s true. As I go through this

fun adventure we call life, I have my good moments when I raise my hand and

proclaim, God is so good! But I also have my moments when the worry of

life becomes too much, and I wonder if God can see me in this low valley

that I’m in and if He has time for me.

.

It’s easy to hold on to God’s promises when life is going the way that

makes sense to us, when things seem safe and predictable. But what about

when things seem to go off track? If you’re anything like me, you might be

sitting there imagining yourself having the perfect response and the

deepest faith and trust in God, even when the world is falling apart. But

let’s be honest for a minute. If the thing we feared most were to happen

right now, what would our response really be? We would probably shake

silently as we begged for it not to be true. We would probably pray and ask

God to let this be a bad dream and let us wake up soon.

.

When things are crashing down around us, the worry hits us without our

consent and sends a round of crazy thoughts through our head. What happened

to God, though? It didn’t take Him by surprise. It didn’t catch Him off

guard. Instead, He’s sitting there with His hand outstretched saying, Come

to me, my child. Come home. I see your pain, and I am grieving your hurts

with you. Let me give you the strength and faith you need to hold on and to

keep your eyes on me. And even when you feel yourself slipping, I won’t let

you go.

.

As you close your eyes and hear His gentle voice reminding you that you

aren’t alone in this mess, you can rest in His promise: For I am

the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, Do not

fear, I will help you’ (Isaiah 41:13). Mary Garner

.

Consider taking a moment to imagine if the thing you feared most were to

happen, but imagine God being there with you. How might God help you in

that situation?

.

Read Matthew 14:22-33. When Peter didn’t keep his eyes on Jesus, what did

Jesus do? How could this story give us hope when we feel overwhelmed by

what’s going on around us?

.

For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, Do

not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (CSB)

Read Verses:

Psalm 94:18-Psalm 94:19; Isaiah 41:10-Isaiah 41:13; Matthew 14:22-Matthew 14:33