The negative aspects of this world are growing by leaps and bounds: massive fires, unbelievable injustices, destructive riots, polarized politics, natural disasters, rampant heartbreak, devastating physical and mental and emotional distress, increasing medical issues, etc. They all fuel our fears and anxiety.
Many of us turn to harmful ways of numbing our pain and anesthetizing our conscience; yet, our only true and lasting help is totally surrendering our life to God. He sends us hugs all throughout the day, and proves His unconditional love to us by walking through our trials with us and in us.
We find no lasting comfort in the things of this world, but God promises us a fulfilled existence in His presence both now and throughout eternity (Galatians 2:20). He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live in union with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
Miracles, whether they are momentous or barely noticeable, appear from every trial that we will ever experience. God sends His refreshing "rain" both on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45), inviting us to a more intimate union with Himself. He calms our fears, satisfies our longing, and fills our empty soul (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 107:9).
Jesus appealed to us to be childlike in our faith as we trust only in our Father God (Matthew 18:3; Proverbs 3:5-6). What does it mean to be as a little child? One who completely trusts their caregiver, and who loves their provider's comfort, attention and cuddling. Children are also compassionate, vulnerable, impulsive, and dependent.
A child will speak his/her mind without hesitation, and they do not censor their thoughts; they are creative and curious - not shy about seeking answers to their questions; they love without hesitation or prejudice; and they are not shy about asking for what they need and want.
God calls us to carefully guard our thoughts, feelings and choices, because He is our only source of true and eternal life (Proverbs 4:23; John 3:16-18). As a loving Father, when we ask for anything, according to His will for us (1 John 5:14), He always wants to supply all of our needs from His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19).
Prayer:
Father God, help us to heal from our jaded, critical and suspicious tendencies so that we can become like little children in our relationship with You. We know that You are righteous in all of Your ways, even when You discipline us in order to keep us on Your protective straight and narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14). You always have our best interests in Your heart when You allow trials into our life.
Like the refiner of silver, You never take Your eyes off us during our tribulation, because You know that without Your watchful attention, we can be destroyed by them (Malachi 3:3). You watch for Your reflection in us, as You refine us into the image of Jesus, Your Son. The pain of trials often seems too much for us to bear, but You teach us that it is not too much for You, who abides within us, to carry us through. As Your children, we can certainly trust in You, because You prove Your unconditional love for us.
Thought for the Day:
God is not surprised by the events in our life, because He sees the end from the beginning, and He cares about every aspect that affects us; He fills our empty soul, and teaches us contentment at the same time that He gives us His guidance, wisdom, courage and strength to walk through this life as victorious overcomers.
- Isaiah 46:10; 1 John 5:4
