Lysa TerKeurst
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything..." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
It seems you can hardly turn anywhere today without seeing reminders of economic hardships. During the past couple of years the unemployment rate in our country has been the highest we've seen in 60 years. Friends and family members are suffering due to the loss of jobs, investments gone bad, and cutbacks that seem to be everywhere.
I have a friend who has owned a thriving car dealership for over 30 years. This man and his family have been pillars in their community who are known for their generosity and kind Christian spirits.
This past year though, he declared bankruptcy and literally lost everything--including their cars.
If that isn't cruel irony, I don't know what is.
So, I've had to have some discussions with God about the absolute heartbreak of this situation. I know God is the great provider, so why isn't He providing for my friend? God is a miracle worker, so why isn't He working a miracle for my friend?
These are fair questions about what seems like a terribly unfair situation.
Whenever I face situations I am having a hard time understanding, I have to park my mind with what I know to be true. Keeping my mind saturated with truth, keeps Satan from being able to whisper dangerous assumptions, false accusations, and faith-eroding perspectives.
So, what is true in this situation? What is true no matter what situation we are facing?
God is a good provider.
This is true. This is where I must park my mind. This is the reality that must saturate my thoughts. This truth rises above our troubling circumstances and calls us to see life from a perspective outside our screaming realities.
God richly provides us with everything we need. Therefore I must trust that God is providing for my friend. What is in front of my friend is God's provision. God hasn't stopped providing just because my friend is in financial turmoil. This situation hasn't caught God off guard. God hasn't run out of resources to help my friend.
Part of God's perfect provision for my friend is to walk through this. I may not like it. I may not understand it. But, because my friend knows and loves God, I have peace that he will make it through this.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8-9 that if we think on what is true, the peace of God will be with us. And ultimately, isn't peace what we want? That's what I really want for my friend. I want this precious man and his family to have peace more than I want their dealership to be saved, their finances restored, and their old life to suddenly come back and settle into place.
Praise God, His peace is but an utterance of truth away. So, sweet sister, park your mind with His truth today. And watch God's perfect provision of peace flood whatever dry and lacking ache you are experiencing right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for being my provider each day. Help me not to fear these times of hardship. Rather, help me to trust in You and Your ways more each day. My desire is to focus on what is true and believe that You will make the rough places smooth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com by clicking here if you would like to request prayer for yourself or one of your friends who are having a tough time in this economy. Lysa would consider it a great honor to pray personally for every request posted today.
Be sure to check out Lysa’s book and Bible study Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. This is the perfect 6 week summer study or one to consider doing with your women’s group this fall.
To order your book, click here. To order your Bible study workbook and DVD study click here and here.
Application Steps:
Every time a discouraging thought comes into your mind today:
Replace it with a verse from God's Word.
Replace it with the truth that God is a good provider and that His unfailing love for you will not be shaken.
Replace it by seeking Him and calling on Him for He is always near.
Reflections:
How can God's peace restore you today?
Could this devotion showing up in your inbox today be a reminder from God that He sees you and cares about your situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1-2, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God who richly provides us with everything..." 1 Timothy 6:17 (NIV)
It seems you can hardly turn anywhere today without seeing reminders of economic hardships. During the past couple of years the unemployment rate in our country has been the highest we've seen in 60 years. Friends and family members are suffering due to the loss of jobs, investments gone bad, and cutbacks that seem to be everywhere.
I have a friend who has owned a thriving car dealership for over 30 years. This man and his family have been pillars in their community who are known for their generosity and kind Christian spirits.
This past year though, he declared bankruptcy and literally lost everything--including their cars.
If that isn't cruel irony, I don't know what is.
So, I've had to have some discussions with God about the absolute heartbreak of this situation. I know God is the great provider, so why isn't He providing for my friend? God is a miracle worker, so why isn't He working a miracle for my friend?
These are fair questions about what seems like a terribly unfair situation.
Whenever I face situations I am having a hard time understanding, I have to park my mind with what I know to be true. Keeping my mind saturated with truth, keeps Satan from being able to whisper dangerous assumptions, false accusations, and faith-eroding perspectives.
So, what is true in this situation? What is true no matter what situation we are facing?
God is a good provider.
This is true. This is where I must park my mind. This is the reality that must saturate my thoughts. This truth rises above our troubling circumstances and calls us to see life from a perspective outside our screaming realities.
God richly provides us with everything we need. Therefore I must trust that God is providing for my friend. What is in front of my friend is God's provision. God hasn't stopped providing just because my friend is in financial turmoil. This situation hasn't caught God off guard. God hasn't run out of resources to help my friend.
Part of God's perfect provision for my friend is to walk through this. I may not like it. I may not understand it. But, because my friend knows and loves God, I have peace that he will make it through this.
The Bible tells us in Philippians 4:8-9 that if we think on what is true, the peace of God will be with us. And ultimately, isn't peace what we want? That's what I really want for my friend. I want this precious man and his family to have peace more than I want their dealership to be saved, their finances restored, and their old life to suddenly come back and settle into place.
Praise God, His peace is but an utterance of truth away. So, sweet sister, park your mind with His truth today. And watch God's perfect provision of peace flood whatever dry and lacking ache you are experiencing right now.
Dear Lord, thank You for being my provider each day. Help me not to fear these times of hardship. Rather, help me to trust in You and Your ways more each day. My desire is to focus on what is true and believe that You will make the rough places smooth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit www.LysaTerKeurst.com by clicking here if you would like to request prayer for yourself or one of your friends who are having a tough time in this economy. Lysa would consider it a great honor to pray personally for every request posted today.
Be sure to check out Lysa’s book and Bible study Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl. This is the perfect 6 week summer study or one to consider doing with your women’s group this fall.
To order your book, click here. To order your Bible study workbook and DVD study click here and here.
Application Steps:
Every time a discouraging thought comes into your mind today:
Replace it with a verse from God's Word.
Replace it with the truth that God is a good provider and that His unfailing love for you will not be shaken.
Replace it by seeking Him and calling on Him for He is always near.
Reflections:
How can God's peace restore you today?
Could this devotion showing up in your inbox today be a reminder from God that He sees you and cares about your situation?
Power Verses:
Psalm 84:1-2, "How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." (NIV)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Labels: Balance, Confidence, God's Perspective, Overcoming, Overcoming Anger, Overcoming Fear, Patience, Perseverance, Spiritual Growth, Trusting God, Walking in Faith
11 Comments:
Lysa, thank's for today. I love God so much and yes he will give everything I need I just have to show up and pray. Love, g girl one everlasting
Lysa,
Yes, this devotion popped up in my mailbox this morning for a reason. I run a business and am the breadwinner in my family at this time. God has blessed us so tremendously over the years, I can't even begin to tell you! Trust me, we have had many trials, hardships over the last 22 years of our marriage but oh how many cornerstones in my life can I share with others! Right now, I need direction in how to allocate income from my business to family, to keep my business in the forefront, to provide for my family, direction where to cut back because like everyone else, income is down and expenses are up!! Please pray for me for direction and guidance and to calm my heart! Thank you
Well, this was certainly timely! My husband and I have been discussing God's provision for us in the last few days. See, we are a missionary family. My husband runs a mission that feeds the poor and preaches the gospel in our area. We rely solely on God's provisions each day, whether it be food, clothing, or finances. But, of late, there seems to be a shortage of all of those things. Between our mortgage, taxes and all other expenses in this life of raising 3 children, I continue to wonder what God has in store for us. So many questions flood my mind. I want so to believe His Truths and embrace His Wisdom every day. My desire, as you so perfectly stated, is for peace. My request to you, is to please pray for peace and direction for our family of 5. I appreciate your prayers! And by the way, a few friends and I are enjoying your study of Becoming More than a Good Bible Study Girl! Thank you for your wisdom and your transparency!
I wish everyone knew about the peace of God. About 20 years ago I went through depression and anxiety really bad. I am not sure jut what triggered it. Possibly stress? I had to learn to trust God for His peace during this time. I know when circumstances seem overwhelming and they are, the first thing to do is worry. I think we all just need to take it to the Lord and experience His peace through each situation.
Thank you so much for this devotional - as you said this showed up in my inbox at just the right time. My family has been in financial turmoil much like your friend's - we lost a business and we are having to start over completely. It has been very hard at times, but I have been amazed at the peace I find when I focus on God and look back at how He has provided for us at just the perfect time.
HALLELUJAH!!!!! This truly a miraculous devotion for the time and place in my life right now. To GOD be the Glory!!!!!
You have no idea what an instrument of the Holy Spirit you were today. Thank you for writing this. All week these devotions have touched me where I needed it most. God is so good.
I just began reading your devotions and boy is it right on time! Peace be with you!
Thank you for these words. THey hit me right where we are at. God bless!
Everything this week has been speaking right to me! This one was fabulous!!! Thank you so much - I truly needed this gentle reminder. May God give us all a thankful heart, a heart focused on His goodness and the good gifts He gives in His time.
Thank you for posting this. With all the financial obligations, am still on the red. was so tempted to postpone tithing. but i won't have any peace. only after writing the check for the tithes saturday night, i was able to sleep in peace. God will never fail to provide for His children's needs.
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