“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” Ex. 34:6
My concept of God completely controls my relationship with Him. If I believe that He is good and that He has only my best in mind for me, I trust Him when things are difficult. But if my core belief is that God is “done with me”, I will not pursue Him, and I will move away from Him when life’s challenges engulf me.
God tells us this in Jer. 29:11: “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” God is telling us, “ Don’t tell Me what you think I think of you, this is what I think of you!”
Sometimes when confusing or difficult circumstances occur in or around us, we mistakenly interpret them differently (even the opposite) from what God actually thinks of us and from what He is actually doing through and around our life with these events.
Likewise, these same kinds of misinterpretations happen in our interpersonal relationships.
The question comes down to this: What is my core belief structure? If it one of trust, I will move towards God (or that other person). But if it is distrust, I will move away from God (or that other person).
Unlike people, however, God is 100% trustworthy 100% of the time, no matter the circumstance or our limited perspectives.
This is a very stressful time of year for many many folks. In our stresses this week, let’s determine to trust Him according to His word, not ours.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties. Point out anything in me that offends You, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Ps. 139: 23-24
Much love,
Shaun and Betsy
