There are days when the prospect of what might be looms larger than what actually is.
Days when you wish you could hit the fast forward button on your life and jump ahead just enough to see what’s coming (or what’s not coming, as the case may be).
Maybe what you’re dreading isn’t that big of a deal in the grand scheme of life, or perhaps it’s truly monumental. Maybe your reaction is kinda illogical, or perhaps it’s totally understandable, given your current circumstances.
Either way, you find yourself in the bathroom, head in your hands, asking God to lift the blues or give you a glimpse of—well, anything, really.
You know about the birds of the sky and the lilies of the field—that God feeds and clothes them, and yet provides for you so much more. In fact, you can probably quote from memory the grand conclusion of this section of scripture: “Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow because tomorrow will worry about itself.” (Matthew 6:34)
You know these things—you really do believe them—but the fear of the unknown still throws you off. You keep thinking about what C.S. Lewis once wrote, that “we are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.”
This resonates loudly even though, among the four people in your household, you are the one most likely to be voted an optimist. The one who always tries to get the others to look at the bright side, to find the silver lining, to look for the good in the bad.
Honestly, you’ve seen it go either way—when God’s best is really wonderful, and when His best (at least the way it affects you) is just plain hard. Chances are, what you are fretting about today is neither—a mere blip, most likely—but it still looms large in your mind.
And somehow, the enemy of your soul is aware of this and seems to be exploiting it a bit right now.
But then, almost out of nowhere, a thought pokes its way through the heavy fog in your head.
“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope.” (Lamentations 3:21)
Ah, there it is—straight from the pages of scripture—the breath of fresh air you’ve been longing for.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. (Lamentations 3:22-26)
Maybe waiting’s not your strong suit. (It’s certainly not mine.)
And yet, these familiar words are powerful. They’re healing, hope-filled.
They remind us both that God’s love protects us, that He is faithful and good, and that His salvation will come when the time is right.
♥ Lois
There it is—straight from the pages of scripture—the breath of fresh air you’ve been longing for. Click To TweetP.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
40 comments
A dear friend sent me the link to your post. I needed to hear this. I just completed a clinical trial for cancer and had many praying I would not need surgery, but it turns out I will. I lost my mother, my father and a brother to surgical complications and I have been facing the fear of the unknown. It is so true…I know the promises of God and I know that ultimately I am in His hands, but I do fear how painful the journey will be. Thank you for your post.
Oh, friend … it’s hard enough to lose dear loved ones, but to have it happen in this way must be even more devastating. I’m so sorry you are facing surgery with these losses fresh on your mind … praying that God will not give you a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind as you go through this. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment …
Powerful post. This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible and the Lord showed me great truths about 6 years ago when a young woman in our church passed away. She left behind a husband, 2 small children, and a boy infant born only a few days before. It was the hope “I called to mind” that helped me write about this experience and cling to God’s steadfast love and never-ending mercy.
Oh my, Karen … what a hard thing to walk through with your church family. I’m so grateful that we can readily access God’s Word during these difficult seasons and rely on it to comfort and sustain us.
Last year I had to decide if I would take certain steps to reduce my risk of cancer coming back. I didn’t want to make life-altering decisions based on fear. After consulting with my doctors, I declined the drastic surgery trusting that even if the worst does happen, God will see me through it. Thank you for this beautifully-written reminder that He is always there for us.
Wow, Valerie … what a difficult decision! Good for you not to make it based on fear … yes, God will surely see you through, come what may. Hugs, friend.
How kind of God to comfort His children’s real fears. I agree with Lewis’s quote. I see what others go through and don’t think I could handle what they handle. But God will give grace for whatever He calls me to handle.
Amen, Barbara! He knows what we need and is faithful to provide, isn’t He?
Lois,
Beautiful post. When anxiety about the unknown creeps over me, His word is the soothing balm I need. Also, looking back to everything He’s faithfully brought me through gives me hope for the future. Just reading the scripture you shared calms my anxious heart.
Blessings,
Bev xx
Aw, Bev … I’m glad to hear that! I feel the same way about those recollections of God’s faithfulness. I’m so grateful He never changes, aren’t you?
I don’t recall ever reading that C. S. Lewis quote, but yes, yes, yes! The unknown, even putting it in God’s hands, can still be a fearful thing to me. Yet hope. So grateful that we can have hope! Another great post, Lois.
Thanks, Lisa. I actually found the quote in a collection of quotes and prayers from the Mitford series. I had not read it before that, but it definitely struck a chord with me too. Hugs, friend!
Great post, Lois. Why do I wast so much time worrying about the future? I need the reminder to relax. Loved the C.S. Lewis quote: “we are not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be.” Ouch!
Ouch is right, Laurie! The what-ifs often get me too … 🙂
Lois,
I love it when God provides what I need first thing in the morning. Your words, the scripture that you chose, and seeing your smiling face in your picture are like a ray of sunshine. Thank you for your God inspired article and sharing it with Grace & Truth.
Maree
I’m so glad you found encouragement in this post, Maree. It was kind of a last-minute thing … I needed it as much as you, I think! 🙂
Lois – I will be featuring your fabulous post this week on Grace & Truth Link-Up.
Aw, Maree … I prayed when I posted it originally that it would be encouraging others, and I’ll keep praying to that end as you share it. 🙂
Aww! I can feel it! God leaves exactly what we need in the pages of the greatest story of all–His! Thank you for this reminder today.
So true, Mary. Hugs, friend!
Hope. It changes everything, you know!!! Your Pinterest thingy isn’t working?
Oh yes, Susan … hope absolutely changes everything. (And thanks for the heads up about the Pinterest share button … not sure what the problem is but will try to get it fixed soon!)
Oh my goodness, the image of the dog face. How accurate to this topic. Thanks for your transparency, Lois, it encourages me to read an experience I so identify with. I’m most likely to be voted an optimist too- but the struggle is still real. Holding to these beautiful verses today! It is good to wait…
Yep, Bethany … I felt the same way about that dog’s expression. The struggle most definitely is real … it is good to wait, but oh, how I sometimes wish we didn’t have to! Praying for you today, my friend.
That C.S. Lewis quote articulates exactly how I can feel many times.
A few weeks ago I was waiting for medical test results that had been quite honestly terrified.
The Lord ministered to me through this verse: “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. … Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.”
Indeed, my hope in the Lord strengthened and sustained me as I waited for the results and I did praise Him again. My test results were normal!
Thank you for sharing these encouraging words for fighting the fear of the unknown.
Oh Karen, I’m hearing you loud and clear! What a beautiful passage to be reminded of during that stressful wait … it’s one of my favorites too. I’m so glad your tests came back normal, my friend. 🙂
Visiting from the link party. Thank you for sharing such lovely words of encouragement!
You’re welcome, Debbie! I’m so glad you stopped by this week. 🙂
Yes, yes …
I love Lamentations 3.
Oh Linda … such healing balm, isn’t it?
I love it when God’s word pops into our minds and reminds us to focus on the right things. Fear of the unknown is not my strong suit. Feeling for you.
I love that too, Theresa. Isn’t it wonderful that the Holy Spirit knows the exact right thoughts to put in our muddled minds at the exact right time? 🙂
I was just reading, in my daily Bible reading this morning Lois, about the children of Israel embarking on their first journey through the wilderness. Setting out for places unknown. I cannot imagine what their anxiety level was!
Thanks for these reminders!
Thank you for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
Phew, Patsy … that must have taken some incredible faith, don’t you think? And a great leader in Moses. And an awesome God. He goes before us and is with us, and I am so thankful. Blessings you this week!
I’m so sorry for your struggles, Lois. I’ve been there. Believing promises and yet the fear of the unknown throws us off. I just read a devotion by Max Lucado this morning concerning the verse of how God cares for the birds, so He’ll care for us. He talked about how heavy the earth is and yet God keeps it up, how it is tilted at exactly 23 degrees, and it travels 1000 miles in an hour. And yet not one of us falls off the face of the earth. It really awed me. Amazing! Yes, God’s got us. Thank you for reminding me, too, of that Lamentations passage. I always find it so encouraging. Yes, so healing and hope-filled. Love and blessings of His sufficient grace moment by moment to you!
Aw, Trudy … that’s a great point about the earth and how God holds it all together. It reminds me of that old song that talks about how “He carries the weight of the world on His shoulders.” I’m so grateful that His mercies are new every morning. Hugs, friend.
Ahhh, Lois. Such good words. It’s hard to keep a right perspective when there’s a fear of the unknown. I so appreciate your words here. And that passage from Lamentations? It’s definitely one of my go-to’s when I’m feeling overwhelmed or like I’ve messed up big. There’s much wisdom here, friend.
Thank you so much, Jeanne. When those verses came to mind yesterday, it was like a huge burden lifted right off of me. Sounds like you can relate to that, huh? Hugs, friend.
Understanding God’s sovereignty can be a comfort, but embracing it also leaves us open to ALL the possibilities. He is perfectly free to take me outside my comfort zone…
Oh Michele … He often does exactly that, doesn’t He?