"Hang onto the facts until the feelings line up." Probably the most true and needed words I've heard today. And honestly, the underlining word I hear in that phrase is FAITH.
The facts are:
"you need not be afraid of disaster....for the Lord is your security." (Prov. 3:25)
"all your needs will be provided for....." (Phil. 4:13)
"you will find favor with God and people...." (Prov. 3:3)
"I will show you and teach you in the way you should go...." (Psalms 32:8)
"My help comes from the Lord...." (Psalms 101:1)
"My flesh can REST in HOPE....." (Psalms 16:9)
The truth is that the facts far outweigh the feelings. The challenge is to focus on the facts, and not the feelings. I suppose that faith is focusing on what you know is true and not what you see or feel.
Daily I have questions, fears, and at times anxiety race and dance across my mind. Yet, under it all is this peace that I don't have words to explain. Except to say that it is constant...it doesn't leave. We've had about 6 of our friends make the statement to us..."I don't think I could do what you are doing..." I experience two different emotions when I hear those words. The first is sheer panic! If you couldn't do it, then neither can I....my world is crashing in! (thankfully this emotion only last a second or two) But what really comes over me is this sense of being close to the heart of Jesus. I think of His life and remarks that people made towards Him or about the life He was living. It didn't always make sense in peoples natural minds. Neither does this season my husband and I find ourselves in now. People questioned wether He was really doing the right thing, even though He was walking in what His Father showed Him. We find ourselves in that same spot lately. What is going on in our lives doesn't make sense to those on the outside looking on, yet, as of this moment we haven't taken any steps unless we have clearly heard from Him. Phrases like, "it doesn't make sense" and "I could do what you are doing" are starting to become very comforting as they remind me that I am exactly where He has called me. So many ministry opportunities and God encounters with others (those who do and don't know Jesus) have happened over the last couple months. We haven't been searching them out or frantically trying to find solutions....but in simply everyday living for Him we find chances to influence those around us. I wish I didn't go in and out of trusting Him so often. I know it's a process....but when the facts say that He never has and He never will fail me, leave me, forget me....then why do I waver? Focus on the facts until your feelings line up with it.
I'll close with these words, ones that are a lot easier to say than to actually live out on a daily basis.....
Prov. 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."
