Life is complicated … no newsflash here!

The complexities of life are constantly in play for all of us and we know that we can not navigate through them on our own. The smallest challenge rudely awakens our sense of helplessness … and once again we are in a crisis.

Some would say that our world today is more complicated than ever before … and while a case can be made for this assertion, the fact is that the heart of man has always been troubled by the complexities of life. Specifically, because we can not control them … and all too often we are discomforted because we can not understand them.

All of us have experienced this and some of us are currently engaged in our own personal struggle with this reality.

In the midst of it all, here is what we want to come to know and embrace …

When Life Becomes Complicated … Hold Fast To The Great Gifts Of God

These gifts are many, but all of them are based on His eternal promises, ushered into our lives by His enduring presence and are ours to execute because of the established pathways that He has crafted for us.

This excerpt from “Hope Reflected” (Monday Encouragement: Isaiah 41) captures the essence of this reality,

“Isaiah 41:10 is a great example of the encouragement found within the book of Isaiah.

“Fear not, for I am with you”: God is always with us. He is with you, day and night, no matter what you’re going through. That’s a promise! I love in the first part of verse 10 how we are commanded to “Fear not,” because God is with us. What a promise! What an encouragement! We have no reason to fear because God is with us.

“Be not dismayed, for I am your God”: Dismay is another word for distress, usually instigated by something unexpected. In Isaiah 41:10, we are encouraged to be not dismayed. Why? “for I am your God”. We serve the Living Christ, Who conquered death for us, so there is no reason to be dismayed. This is something I need to constantly remind myself of, especially when life throws curve balls my way.

“I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you”: God promises to provide us with strength and with help. When you’re feeling like you can’t go on or you just don’t know how you’re going to get through the day, God will be right with you to provide you with the strength and help you need, to get through whatever you’re facing.

“I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”: God promises to uphold us. More than that, He promises to uphold us with His righteous right hand. That means, when you lose your footing, He’s going to be there to hold you up, if you’ll trust in Him. What I love about this verse, is that we are told God will uphold us with His righteous right hand. Righteous: Pure, virtuous, upstanding, ethical, honest. Regardless of your circumstances, God is righteous. And He will uphold you with His right hand. His right hand! Throughout scripture, God’s right hand is mentioned several times. Historically, to be put on someone’s right hand is to be held in equal honor. God’s right hand also symbolizes His power and His greatness.”_

One verse … and yet so much is being communicated to us and confirmed for us.

Whatever you’re facing this week, remember Isaiah 41:10 and claim it for yourself!

When Life Becomes Complicated …

▪ embrace all that God intends for His people to have in every generation
▪ hold fast to hope
▪ say yes to the abiding presence of the peace of Christ
▪ stay near to the heart of God
▪ seek to be properly centered
▪ trust His promise to carry us

This is our hope and salvation and will always be our anchor in every storm!

I know that I am in … and you?

-Terry-