The negative aspects of this world are growing by leaps and bounds: massive fires, unbelievable injustices, destructive riots, polarized politics, daily random shootings, natural disasters, rampant heartbreak, devastating mental and emotional distress, increasing medical issues, etc. all fuel our fears and anxiety.
Many turn to harmful ways of numbing our pain and anesthetizing our conscience; yet, the only true and lasting help is surrendering our life to God. If we pay attention, we notice that He sends us hugs all throughout the day, and He 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 a fulfilled existence in His presence both now and throughout eternity (Galatians 2:20). He died for us so that, whether we are in this world or in His physical presence, we may live in union with Him (1 Thessalonians 5:10).
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). He wants to supply all our needs from His glorious riches (Philippians 4:19). Jesus appealed to us to be childlike in our faith as we trust only in our Father God (Matthew 18:3).
A little child is usually compassionate, vulnerable, impulsive, and dependent; they completely trust their care-giver, and love their provider's comfort, attention, and cuddling; they speak their mind, and 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 tentative about asking for what they need and want.
Miracles, both momentous and barely noticeable, come from every trial we will ever experience. God sends His refreshing "rain" both on the just and the unjust, inviting us to a more intimate union with Him. He calms our fears, satisfies our longing, and fills our empty soul (Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 107:9).
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 Your ways, even when You discipline us in order to keep us on Your protective, straight and narrow road (Matthew 7:13-14). As Your adopted children, we trust in You, because You consistently prove Your unconditional love for us. 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 of us during our tribulation, because You know that without Your watchful attention, we can be destroyed by them (Malachi 3:3). The pain of trials often seems too much for us to bear; but teach us that it is not too much for You, who abides within us, to carry it for us as You experience it right along with us. You watch for Your reflection in us, as You refine us as silver into the image of Jesus, Your Son.
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 of our life; He fills our empty soul, and He 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 46:10-13; 1 John 5:4
