Roller Coaster
Transitioning home from the world race has been quite the roller coaster ride. The funny thing about roller coasters is, that you can either be faithful and trust that you are safe and will make it through to the end, or you can be fearful, scream and whine and throw up all over the place, which is not very fun for anyone… needless to say I am trying to stay faithful!
I am finding that when I pray, worship God and see through my eyes of faith, I have peace, joy, and am able to see exactly the steps I need to take. When I am not praying, not worshipping, and reacting out of fear, I am filled with fear, discouragement, and have no idea what I am supposed to do.
I just got back from a weekend retreat with my church, and the theme was 'The Joshua Generation'. Moses' generation was always reacting out of fear. Instead of focussing on where God wanted to take them (the promise land), they focussed on the enemy that was chasing them down. Instead of keeping their eyes on God, they focussed on their circumstances. Because they were consumed with fear, they were not able to enter the promise land. God had to take them through the wilderness for 40 years, so that they could learn to trust Him and His provision. Joshua's generation was led forth in faith. When they came to the Jordan, God told them to take a step of faith and walk into the river. They could have seen the river and it's rushing waters and become fearful. They could have very easily been swept away unto their death by the strong current. Instead, they focussed on God's promise of deliverance, trusted that He would come through even though they couldn't see it, and took that step of faith. The waters were rolled back and they had safe passage into the promise land.
I don't know about you, but I don't want to have to spend 40 years in the wilderness so that I can learn to trust God, I just want to trust Him.
"If I can stay calm, faithful, and unconfused while in the middle of the turmoil of life, the goal of the purpose of God is being accomplished in me"
(My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers, http://utmost.org/god%E2%80%99s-purpose-or-mine/ )
What circumstances in your life are causing you to fear?
David chose faith when he faced Goliath.
Daniel, while in the pit with the lions could have easily reacted in fear, but in FAITH He said 'My God will surely deliver me'!
Joshua's generation chose faith when they stepped into that water, and later when they marched around the walls in Jericho.
David took down the giant, Daniel was rescued from the pit, the waters were rolled back and the walls came crashing down!
No matter how impossible your situation may seem, have faith! King Jesus is more than able to deliver you. Turn to God. Listen and hear what HE has to say about your circumstance. He has a word of promise for you, He has a word of deliverance, He has a word of hope, He has a word of life.
Fear is not trusting God. Faith is listening to God and then doing what He says. Choose faith today! Roller coaster's take you to different highs and lows, but if you trust that you are going to make it through, you can have joy throughout the entire experience…
