“But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” – John 11:22
TRUST GOD. Two words I have had THE longest journey with. Pastor Luis Brito’s sermon last Sunday was a reminder of these very familiar words and my complicated relationship with it. I realised the seasons that have had the biggest impact on me have been the ‘waiting’ seasons. We have all experienced moments of joy and moments of sadness, but it is those moments in between the mountain top and the valley that can feel hard.
Waiting seasons means facing uncertainty, it feels uncomfortable, it feels like I want to hold onto something but even that seems unstable. I feel anxious. Why does ‘trusting’ feel hard? Even though I apparently know God, why is it in those moments I question His existence or ability to be in control? There were two lies that I have had to confront for me to really grasp hold of the joy and peace that comes from trusting God. The first is about my relationship with trust and the second is about my understanding of WHO God is:
- My relationship with Trust: If you have had your trust broken by people who loved you and you felt safe with. Then that could be a factor in influencing how you trust God. I have realised in my human nature I have allowed my fears around trusting people influence me. The hurt caused in my past due to disappointment, betrayal, uncertainty, and doubt have created some unhealthy patterns of self-protection that seems to be getting in the way of how I trust God. Being let down by people we are supposed to trust is something we all navigate because we are human. We are all work in progress. Understanding this help us extend compassion and mercy to all. But ultimately those moments should lead us to the ONE who we can trust. GOD – Unconditional, stable, consistent, and perfect.
- My understanding of WHO God is: In our ‘waiting’ seasons; it is almost a mandatory requirement to remember in WHOM our trust lies. It is NOT in people or circumstances. It is in the Creator of Heaven and Earth, He is Faithful, He is Good, He never fails, He is the beginning and the end, He is love, He is Joy, He is Peace, He is Truth, and I could go on and on about our God (Just open the Bible). I was reminded recently to focus on moments when God has come through and the miracles we seem to easily overlook. The enemy will always get us to focus on lack and distract us from the Truth of who God is but like Pastor Luis said you cannot fight or solve a spiritual problem in our own mind or physically (e.g., keeping busy and hoping it’ll get better) but you solve spiritual problems in a spiritual way. Standing strong on the truth of WHO God is in those seasons of ‘waiting’ – knowing that we do not have to carry the burden of disappointment, uncertainty, fear, or doubt. GOD is in control, and He will come through for you and me.
Father God, you know me; you know my heart; you know my past and my future. Regardless of the season I am in – You are GOD and you are in control. You know the desires of my heart and even now you will come through for me. AMEN.
By Christabel Joy Seneviratne
Watch or Listen to Pastor Luis’s Sermon “When God Seems Late” on our webpage: remaraustralia.org or visit our Facebook page