Train wrecks at the well of grace

"God’s mighty ones are not the strong ones, but the weak ones who trust Him, no matter how impossible things appear." ~John Piper

In truth, we're all train wrecks at the well of grace! (Debbi Dunlap)

One of my favorite verses throughout many trials, tragedies, and traumas in my life has been "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Job 13:15a

Exactly how does THAT verse become a favorite though?! Through hardship, through heart-break and heartache, through hurts, through habitual sin, through sorrow, through loss, through pain and grief and hasty regretful words and deeds.

The definition of ‘trust’is:

“Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”

So, when I feel myself worried, worn down, and weary from the difficulties life brings to all of us, what happens?

Well… Sometimes, I cry… a lot.

Or I try to avoid the pain at any cost.

Or I want to run and hide away from it all.

Or I want to busy my mind with anything that will distract me from fully feeling the weight of it all…

But because I have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, I have a choice to make…

Will I allow the life-giving Word of God to transform my thoughts so I will fully trust Him?

Or

Will I wallow in self-pity and forget the unchanging attributes of the God I know?

So often, I have chosen to wallow instead of to trust. Many times, I didn’t want to learn to re-train my thoughts – in my flesh, I rather enjoyed over-thinking and analyzing the messes – because then I could have some false sense of control. “I” could call the shots and then declare myself safe, because “I” was holding my life’s reins… what a LIE straight from the pit of hell!

Many times my grandmother would tell me when she saw me struggling “Read your bible and pray.” I began to think she was a little crazy because that was always her only answer to EVERYTHING.

Now though, at 48, I’m finally comprehending better what she meant and why that was her ONLY solution…

Because to trust someone, you have to know them!

And to know God, you have to learn His character, study His patterns of behavior and learn what He’s all about.

The only way to know God is to first have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ… that happens when by grace through faith you acknowledge you’re a sinner, turn from that sin and accept His free gift of salvation, provided when Jesus died on the cross and rose again.

As a born-again believer, you surrender your life to His control and will desire to spend time communicating with Him – listening to Him (reading/studying the Bible) and talking with Him (praying).

Grace – God’s unmerited favor… it cannot be earned, it cannot be bought, and it is always given to the ill-deserving “hot messes” just like me and you.

His grace truly is amazing…

It is grace that never runs out…

It is grace that is always enough…

and it is a deep well of life to those who know it!

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but I know a loving Father God who does.

I have learned on this broken road of life on earth three things:

We are always either entering a trial, in the middle of a trial, or getting out of a trial. Life is full of ups and downs… we all know the one thing constant in this life is change.

But, I know the One who never changes, and He longs to mold us and make us more like Him! The power of His resurrection is best comprehended when by His grace, He allows us a small glimpse through the fellowship of His sufferings.

So, whatever you are facing today, please know there is HOPE.

Call, email or text me. I’d love to share God’s word and a moment of prayer with you. If I don’t know how to encourage or equip you to overcome whatever you are facing, I will gladly recommend a sound biblical Counselor or direct you to someone who can help.

Whatever you do, don’t give up!