One of the biggest lies we as Christians believe is that there might be a time in our lives where God will simply stop providing for us.
We think, that for some weird reason, God is all of a sudden going to change His mind because we sinned too much, walked down the wrong path too far, or messed up too much. We start to believe that we have to be really consistent in our faith and do a lot of good things in order for God to give us the blessings He illustrates in His Word.
Don’t we all struggle with this from time to time? I know I have been, especially recently.
I think, in the midst of all this pandemic drama and chaos, we as Christians have been tempted even more to ramp up our performance for God. We feel as though because all of these terrible things are happening, God couldn’t give us something great right now. We must deserve all the suffering we are enduring, and while we are suffering, there is no room for reward, right?
I’m here to tell you we’re wrong. I think this all the time. I often times hear Satan’s voice in my head, saying “you don’t deserve this! Why do you think this is coming from God? It obviously can’t be because you’re suffering right now. Who do you think you are, thinking that God might actually be blessing you in the midst of all these terrible things going on? Get over yourself!”
Sound familiar?
My husband Joe and I are currently in the process of making a pretty risky decision in our life. It honestly all comes down to timing, especially considering the fact I’m 33 weeks pregnant and just started back to work part-time.
In this decision-making process, we have been met with A LOT of opposition. But you know what I’m starting to see whenever people ask us questions of “why are you doing this? That seems crazy!”?
I’m starting to see Satan’s voice behind all of it. All the questioning is laced with jabs at us to try to get us to doubt God’s provision. We have been praying about this decision for years, and while we were doing that, we were waiting. We knew that we’d have no idea if or even when God was going to provide this opportunity, but we wanted to trust that His timing was the best timing.
Every time someone new questions us about this specific life change, it makes me start to think what God would say if I were asking Him that very question. And, if I’m being honest, I hear the same response over and over again: “trust me; it’s my timing, not yours. When has it ever worked out in your timing? And in how many situations, now that you look back, are you thankful for trusting me? My timing is best. It might seem crazy, but I am working and am in full control.”
One verse that I got to read today really encouraged me in the area of good gifts from the Father, along with trusting in His timing:
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.
James 1:17 (NLT)
Not only did God address my concern about Him giving us a good gift, He also addressed my doubt that He would still be good in the midst of a pandemic.
Friends, our God is a God that never changes. He does not change His mind all of a sudden like we humans do (Numbers 23:19) and doesn’t decide to become a different God, any less loving and wanting to give us all good things (Hebrews 13:8, Matthew 7:7-11).
So, when I am tempted next to doubt that God is going to provide for us as we take this next leap of faith, I will remember this: He is our strong and mighty fortress, and we will never fail while we are in Him. The rest of the world may doubt, but we will not. He is working on our faith, our character, and our trust in Him.
So be encouraged this week. No matter what you’re going through, know that God is in control of it all. For you are worth more than many sparrows, and if God provides and cares for them, how much more will He care for you, His child and heir?
making mustard seeds 