AND NOW IT GETS TOUGH …

“Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”       Psalm 23:4 NLT

How often have we read or heard these powerful words shared in Psalm 23?

Impactful. Strengthening.

Life-altering.

Yet, even as we hold these words firm in our heart and spirit when our situations in life turn troublesome or even dangerous, it can be challenging to keep them at the forefront of our minds.

Recently, I walked into a situation where much feels tenuous, at risk, and uncertain. Things that I easily and thoughtlessly once took for granted have now shifted.

AND NOW IT GETS TOUGH …

Even though I spent time seeking the LORD’s guidance on my decisions in this situation, things have not immediately fallen into place going forward. And it is unclear as to when they will finally and fully come into the proper alignment. This has led to an amount of uncertainty clouding my mind.

Dark thoughts of disaster are trying to form around me. I’ve even wondered if God had somehow abandoned me.

Oh, how quickly I forget.

Several years ago, in the midst of exploring a move to a new home, I was ready to admit defeat. Our family had compiled a very poor financial history. It consistently blocked us from moving ahead. We had just been given reams of paperwork to fill out for our rental application. My wife was thrilled. This was an important step for our family, and we needed to take it. But all I could see at that moment was our previous rejections.

Based on this, I started to tell her how we probably had no hope for a positive outcome and should toss out the application. As I began to make this pronouncement, a still, small voice in my head said: “So you think that I can’t make a way for you to get this blessing?” At that moment, I was completely convicted and undone. So much so that I abruptly stopped talking in mid-sentence. After several moments of silence, I was compelled to say this: “I’m wrong. What I was about to declare over us is wrong. If God wants us to live in this home, He will make a way and have the final say.

We will apply in faith and in all honesty. Then He will show us His decision.” We filled out the paperwork and submitted it. We were approved to move in 3 days later!

And He didn’t stop there: two more times, with two more homes; God delivered us through to impossible victories over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The last time culminated with the amazing blessing of the house we bought and now live in (after a lifetime of renting – never considering ownership possible). Believe me when I tell you that there were a ton of problems, concerns, near-disasters and tensions along the path of that final journey. It was tough – and then some.

But God…

Grant it; things did not happen perfectly on our hoped-for timelines, nor via a beautifully smooth, bump-free path. But we saw His plans, provisions, and final victory come to be each time. I remember having such an overwhelming sense of peace throughout all of it. So, why am I again in this place today of upset and potential turmoil? I have seen Him deliver us through fire. I truly desire to be fully confident in His perfect timing. Yet… it is tough.

I guess this is why surrendering our plans and ways to Him has to be a daily occurrence throughout our lives. It should be:

“One and done” – but it sometimes comes undone. I must constantly re-connect to all that He has shown me previously so I can understand and abide in all that He has for me now.

Lord, forgive my doubt!

Help me move ever closer to You and Your love for me when the going gets tough. I know that You have more in store than I could ever understand. May my thoughts constantly be filled with considering only You: Listening and watching for You in all things, guarding my heart and mind against anything else that may try to come. I will admit, charting an obedient path in this is not an easy one. But it can be done. After all, He is the same God: yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Impactful. Strengthening. Life-altering.

May I firmly re-embrace this truth today and every day: when it gets tough … I will find my provision in You!