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September 12, 2017 |
“He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber.” Psalm 121:3 (NASB)
What would we learn? What would happen next?
Tears welled in my eyes and sadness overwhelmed me as I thought of the pain my loved one experienced just beyond the doctor’s doors. The emotional turmoil my youngest daughter was enduring not only caused her hurt; my heart was breaking, too.
Why were we experiencing this heartache? Our trouble made me uneasy. I second-guessed the decisions we’d already made as her parents, and I was even more unsure about those decisions we still needed to make.
Did my parenting play a part in all her pain?
My confidence was draining right onto the cold tile floor.
As I sat in the waiting room, I had another decision to make. What would I do with these defeating thoughts?
I reflected back to that morning when I’d opened my prayer journal.
I keep a diary of my prayers to the Lord. The pages are filled with names of loved ones as prayers to God go out for them. I write out my concerns, cares and confidence-challenging situations. I also write down verses that build my trust and faith in God. They remind me God hears me and will answer my prayers.
When the answered prayer comes, I write it and date it in red ink so the answer stands out boldly. Going back and reviewing my history with God reinforces my confidence in Him and reminds me I can keep going, no matter what challenges I face.
I remind myself of what David wrote in the Psalms: “He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber” (Psalm 121:3).
Going against all the fears in my heart, I began to reflect on the faithfulness of God in my past. It felt completely unnatural, but slowly, as I reminded my spirit how God has been with me and with the one I love, my faith began to rise.
In that moment at the doctor’s office, God didn’t solve all of my daughter’s health issues. But He gave me a renewed sense of hope that I could trust Him no matter what we were facing.
So the next time you’re going through a challenge, grab your journal, and take these three steps to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness:
- Write out the date and what’s going on to cause you to feel fearful. The Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV). For me, this was the doctor’s visit.
- Next, write out a Bible verse or several, next to your fear to give you hope. If I use the doctor’s visit as an example here, a powerful verse is, “Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures” (Psalm 119:90, NIV).
- Now the hard part: Leave the third step blank. Believe in faith that God will answer your prayer … but trust it’ll happen in His time. And when He does answer it, come back and write it here with a bold red pen! Writing out faith-filled verses, along with your answers to prayer, is the simplest of ways to rehearse God’s faithfulness to you, too!
When we remind our forgetful hearts and minds how much God has proven His care for us, a bold trust builds. We can see how God has worked good into our lives and in the lives of others before, and we can fully trust He wants to do it again!
Remind your heart: What you’re facing is a challenge. It isn’t defeat, but challenges in life are an opportunity for God to show His faithfulness.
I’m ready to see it again. Aren’t you?
Dear Lord, when life is hard and my confidence is in question, help me remember to look back and see Your faithfulness to me in the past. No matter how I feel, may I remind myself, You will not allow my foot to slip! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
TRUTH FOR TODAY:
Psalm 86:15, “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (NIV)
Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (NIV)
RELATED RESOURCES:
Lynn Cowell’s newest book, Brave Beauty: Finding the Fearless You, for girls ages 8-12, is now available! If you know a young girl who needs to learn to be brave and become courageous, confident and fearless, this is the book for her! Click here to order your copy!
CONNECT:
Stop by Lynn’s blog today, where you can download your own free prayer journal pages.
REFLECT AND RESPOND:
Take a few moments to reflect on times in your past where you have seen God’s faithfulness, and give Him thanks for all He has done.
© 2017 by Lynn Cowell. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
630 Team Rd., Suite 100
Matthews, NC 28105
www.Proverbs31.org
