So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. – Job 42:12
If you are like me, I am a planner and very proactive. So, these uncertain times can mess with my mind, my body, and my spirit. I tend to feel I have no idea what I am planning for or just when I am to do things. I become anxious and fearful.
I am writing this just before the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend 2024, and the news is covered with natural disasters and wars. And I heard the Lord say to me, “My people are so unthankful!”
Every nerve in my body rebelled. “What do you mean unthankful? Lord, how can those who are suffering so much be thankful? And we, Lord, who feel so uncertain about the future, how do you want us to be thankful?” Then this scripture came to mind right away: James 1:2-4: “Consider pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Pure joy—what a statement! It is one thing to have joy, but pure joy, especially when I’m struggling. Oh Lord, only your Holy Spirit can help us to evaluate how we look at our trials in these very uncertain times. Show us in our perseverance that we don’t walk alone. Show us that fruit will come as a result of where we are right now.
God wants us to know it is okay to mourn or feel uncertain or anxious. But when we are caught in that cycle, we need to look up! Remember not to get so hung up on looking at our struggles. Whatever we focus on will grow, and the enemy of our faith knows that. He wants our eyes on our problems so that God won’t be able to show us a solution. We need to stay in the present and get back to studying and understanding Scripture; find those scriptures about uncertain times and see how God turned them around. Find God’s promises in His word and stand on them! Remember all the times God was there for you. He will never leave you or forsake you! Stay in your Christian community. The enemy loves it when you isolate, when you have no one who will counteract his lies with God’s truth.
Be encouraged. God is not done yet; He has the best plan ever!
