Devastated by Despair

My husband and I are in charge of the Care Team at our church. The team helps people with repairs in their homes, rides to doctor's appointments, meals after surgery, love and support when they've lost a loved one and just helping people with their general needs. Our desire is to be the hands and feet of Jesus. This week the tide seems to have turned and instead of general needs, we are being inundated with financial requests. People are losing jobs, sickness is causing them to miss out on their usual paychecks and many are on the verge of homelessness. Even those who have full time jobs are finding that their salaries won't keep up with the current economic condition. Things have gotten too expensive and they can no longer afford to pay for gas and feed their families.
We've been there... we've experienced layoff, strikes and being out of work for months. As tithers, we learned one thing... God will never let you down as long as you remain in covenant with Him! We came to know Him as our provider, and we never missed a beat as miracle upon miracle always took place at the very last moment. Because we've been through that we can share our testimonies with those who are feeling devastated by despair. Our God is faithful and though He didn't promise we'd never have trials and tribulations, He did promise to never leave us or forsake us. There are so many scriptures to stand upon during hard times... scriptures that bring life, hope and a great outcome.
So, what do you do with heartache, loss, pain, chaos and change? The same thing you must do to get through every single day in an ever-changing world filled with disappointment and absolute instability. YOU CLING TO JESUS! Regardless of what goes on around us or what is done to us, God does not change, and His plans are not made void by “surprises!” The twists and turns of our lives never catch Him by surprise. The course was already planned out and the next step is divinely orchestrated! Our only responsibility is to remain close enough to Him to hear His whispers, while the enemy is shouting His diversions. In the midst of everything that is going on around you, stay focused on Jesus! There’s a great and perfect plan ahead and our God never disappoints. That doesn’t mean there won’t be some hurdles to jump and obstacles to overcome, that only builds character, tenacity, and strength! As long as we remain faithful, surrender all and follow His lead, we can be assured that we will remain in the center of His divine plan for our lives! Don’t cower in fear, stop trying to figure it all out and don’t turn back! The best is yet to come! As I sit here, writing and meditating on the goodness of God, I’m genuinely thankful for all we've been through and I’m looking forward to the adventure of each new chapter! With every twist and turn, there's new opportunities for incredible testimonies of His love, goodness, and strength! John 16:33 (KJV) These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Psalm 32:7-9 (TPT) Lord, you are my secret hiding place, protecting me from these troubles, surrounding me with songs of gladness! Your joyous shouts of rescue release my breakthrough Pause in his presence. I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. So don’t make it difficult; don’t be stubborn when I take you where you’ve not been before. Don’t make me tug you and pull you along. Just come with me!” James 1:2-4 (TPT) My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. Psalm 18:1-2 (NLT) I love you, Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. Malachi 3:10 (NKJV) "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." Hebrews13:5 (NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Comments