All Things Possible Through Him

From Broken to Chosen

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The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7

This week, I was blessed to reconnect with my original home church, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Worth. Many professional and life decisions in my life resulted in a series of moves out of state and later to other parts of Texas. But this week, I attended a class to connect back to the church.

In the classroom were others like me, all coming home to the church or joining the church for the first time. There were people of all ages. Some had moved to other states and now returned, and some had only recently moved to town. As I scanned around the room, I wondered where they each were in their own faith journeys.

We might look at other people’s lives and think: They have it easy. No wonder they are so cheerful. In truth, we don’t know what others face, and yet, through our own trials, we reason everyone has it easier; everyone is happier. We might even believe our lives are in such bad shape that we cannot be helpful to anyone, especially God.

A walk through the Bible tells a different story. We find that the people God used the most were in the most turbulent times of their lives. Joseph was chosen yet found himself in a pit. Moses was chosen to be exiled and later carried the faith, and led the Jews to the edge of the promised land. Ruth was chosen in grief but found faith in a second chance of life. Paul, a man hated by those of faith, was chosen while breathing threats against the Jews. Paul was later beaten, shipwrecked, and imprisoned. Many people in the Bible who have influence today had the hardest of lives. Yet God used them to carry out His bigger plan.

We also have parts to play in God’s plan. We may not see someone thrown into a pit by their own family, but we can offer support to those in the pit of despair. We can volunteer at a food bank or bring food to a shelter. We can help a teen estranged from their family to reconnect or provide support to others as we mend our own families.

We may not lead a nation across the desert, but we can lead a child to God. We can teach Sunday School, write Biblical stories for children, and invite children to spend time in church activities with Christian role models.

We may not have to abandon our former lives because of grief, but we can offer support, sit with someone who is grieving, take a meal to a grieving family, offer a ride to church, or sit with them during the message.

God not only comforts broken people, He chooses them.

God uses times of despair, grief, and even abandonment as opportunities for us to grow in faith. It has often been said that the best way to help yourself is to help others. God knows this. Christians know this. This is why community is important not only to reach out to others but also to strengthen our own faith.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

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Led by Light We Cannot See

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

The verse in Hebrews tells us we cannot see faith. Faith, like the wind, is not visible. But we see the impact of wind when gusts cause the leaves to dance, kites to soar, and sails to propel boats across the water. We can sense the effect of faith when prayers are answered for a cancer patient who goes into remission, when a near-death experience brings one nearer to God, when our sins are forgiven, and when we are redeemed. During the dark hours following the death of a loved one or the heartbreaking news of a health crisis, we are asked to believe there is peace in knowing and accepting what we cannot see; our faith and hope in Him are enough. Faith is our Light we cannot see.

But there are times when we wonder, “Is my faith enough? Will the future be too much for me to bear? Can I make it relying only on unseen hope?”

In an earlier blog, I discussed the importance of surrender. Even after we surrender, we may have uneasy thoughts or anxiety about not knowing. We may have surrendered our will to Him, but we may still wonder what His plan will be for us. Where will His plan direct our path?

“We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9

Before we surrender our will to Him, we are misled by the false belief that we are in control. Once we understand the power and sovereignty of our Lord, we have a sense of peace. Even if we are afflicted in every way, crushed, persecuted, and struck down, we know He is with us. We are not in control; He is. And He will walk with us along our journey.

While we have surrendered our control, we still wonder what will the next season bring?

The Bible includes many stories of uncertainty and misunderstanding of God’s plans. The book of Lamentations tells us of the sorrow felt when the author could only stand and witness as the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. There was a bigger plan ahead than the destruction of the city. That destruction was not the end of the story. A second temple would be built, and Nehemiah would rebuild the city wall.

Joseph didn’t know that his journey from being sold into slavery would lead him to a position of power in Egypt (Genesis 50:20). Ruth had no idea that following Naomi would make her part of the lineage of Christ. God had His plans, which were not understood at the time of hardship or crisis.

After we surrender our will to Him, rather than experience the anxiety of doubt, is it possible to embrace the mystery of not knowing? Can we feel God’s presence while waiting to see His plans unfold?

There is only one way to maintain faith while we wait. We must keep our eyes on Him.

Peter stepped out of the boat when physics suggested he would sink. He managed to step out into the unknown and continue his steps until he focused on the swirling wind and took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14: 29-30). Only then was he not able to continue through the rough waters.

God has led our steps in the past, and He will do so again. We may not understand what is happening and why, but we can trust that He knows. We cannot determine the route of this journey, but we don’t need to; He will.

Keep your faith strong and your eyes on Him.

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Faith, Hope, and Surrender

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

In two years, my family experienced several deaths, one after another. I found myself in the pit of despair for some time. It seemed my remaining family members would see each other at one funeral, and then within weeks, we would learn of another member’s passing. The process would repeat: mourning, making arrangements, and tending to all the details we face when a loved one goes to Heaven.

Following these deaths, other bad news continued in the form of incurable health conditions, legal battles, and financial troubles for members of my family. These events lead me to think about faith, hope, and surrender. I struggled as you might have in a time of deep trials.

In the Old Testament account of Job, we see that God allowed many tragedies to befall Job very suddenly. Job lost his wealth and family and was then burdened with illness. Job’s friends were certain Job had committed significant sins, and God punished him with tragedies. Job insisted he was innocent and that he believed in God. Job did not believe his suffering meant he was being punished.

“And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” 1 Peter 5:10

A more recent story of loss and tragedy occurred to Horatio Gates Spafford. He lost a son, his property, and resources, and then he lost his remaining four daughters on a sinking ship. His wife was spared from drowning at sea. Why is this a measure of faith? He kept his faith and soon wrote the song “It is Well With My Soul.”

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Jame 1:2-4

How does one do this? In such despair, these are examples of strong faith. Spafford’s wife, who survived the shipwreck when her daughters did not, later said she knew God spared her life for a reason. She and her husband later lived and ministered in Jerusalem.

Job held on to his faith and surrendered to God. He later prospered and is an example of steadfast faith and a blessed life after tragedies.

What comes first? Faith, hope, or surrender? I have pondered this, and it may happen differently for each of us. For me, it is clear. Like Job and the Spaffords, I had faith first. Keeping faith is easy when life is wonderful. But what happens when life deals one blow after another, then another, and still another? In the account of Job, his friends were convinced Job must have fallen away from God, which is why he was having trouble. But he insisted he had not lost faith. The Staffords kept their faith and knew God’s ways were beyond their understanding. In both cases, their faith was their support, and soon God made known their purpose. God had spared their lives so they would help His kingdom.

Now, for surrender. When does that happen? If one has faith during tragedy, surrender will happen. It is only after the surrender that one can feel hope again. That is the sequence that makes sense for me. Surrender to God’s purpose. Some might call this “acceptance.” I do not think that is true because acceptance means one says, “It happened, I know it, move on.” Acceptance is not total surrender to God’s purpose. Surrender means, “I give it all to You, God. You will determine what happens and what my purpose will be. I cannot change these events. I surrender to You.” This brings peace. It is not in our control but we can rest knowing it is in His. He will decide. He will support us.

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“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’” Psalm 31:14

And with surrender, you can have hope once again. I do.

Here I am, God. Waiting for my purpose. You are my strength.

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Life’s Detours; God’s Plans

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

We live in a culture that rewards individual decisions, actions, and achievements. We set goals for ourselves and our children. We celebrate milestones and personal achievements. Many of our wishes, goals, and dreams have happened as we planned. But then, the unexpected happens when we are working toward these goals.

At these times, we realize the futility of trying to control our lives. Believing we are in control is an illusion. We think we control our lives, and we decide the paths we take. We do not. Some of our goals may align with what God intended for us, but suddenly, there is a curve in the road or even a cliff on the route that we cannot see. This abrupt change of our plans makes us realize that God had something different in mind.

At first, the change can be a shock. We have trouble adjusting. We pray. We read Scripture, and yet, we struggle with this “new normal.”

It is hard to accept that this change is what God has in store for us. During this time of abrupt change, we turn to Scripture to find out how God’s plans are better than our own. Imagine Joseph’s first thoughts when his brothers threw him in a cistern and then sold him to foreigners. Joseph had been his father’s favorite. His father was pleased with Joseph’s work and openly expressed his favor. His older brothers became jealous. Surely, Joseph could not have imagined being betrayed by his own family members. But, in the bottom of the cistern, and later under the rule of foreigners, Joseph surrendered his own will to God. Surrendering his will meant that he accepted his circumstances and trusted that God had a plan. He remained faithful. His brothers’ actions resulted in Joseph being placed under the Pharaoh of Egypt. In this capacity, as a high-ranking official, he saved his entire family from starvation. God knew the plan. God knew the trouble ahead. God’s plan was to place Joseph in this role. He knew this was the best way to save Joseph and his family.

We can’t see our future. God’s plan may not be what we had in mind, but God knows what we need. Our job is to surrender our will, accept our circumstances, and trust God’s plans.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

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Unwavering Faith on Uncharted Paths

“For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91:11

We all experience different seasons in our lives. Some seasons are joyful, while others test our faith and endurance. The tensions and strains of life in our down seasons may feel like perpetual downpours. In moments when our hearts are burdened with pain, perhaps even breaking, we feel defeated. As believers, we are reminded that God provides hope in our darkest times, in a whirlwind of sorrow or stress. He walks with us. He is always with us through life-changing events, no matter where we are.

The Bible is a testament to the resilience of believers who faced insurmountable odds yet clung to hope in God. Joseph, betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned, was thrown into unfamiliar, life-altering situations. But Joseph never lost faith. He held on to the belief that God was with him and had a purpose for his life, even when his circumstances suggested otherwise. His story is a powerful reminder of the strength of unwavering faith.

Obstacles may block our journey, and we might be forced to take a different path than planned. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph reflects on his journey, saying to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (NIV). Joseph’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how bleak our circumstances may appear, God is always at work behind the scenes, orchestrating events for our good and His glory. It is also a reminder that God’s working behind the scenes may require more patience than we like. We want answers and help immediately. But we must remain patient, knowing He is busy working for us.

We may not understand the purpose of our new route, feel abandoned, or be angry at God. In these moments, we can read and reflect on His promises. Isaiah 41:10 reassures us, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand” (NKJV).

These words remind us that we are not alone in our struggles. God is with us, holding us up and guiding us down the path and through the storm. We must remember that God did not remove the Red Sea when Moses needed to cross; He parted it and walked with him. Jesus did not leave the boat during the storm; He remained in the boat and quieted the storm. God’s constant presence is our glimmer of hope. We might feel blinded in the storm, struggling through troubled waters, and lost on a new pathway, but He is always with us. He is our shelter.

For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat; for the breath of the ruthless is like a storm against a wall. Isaiah 25:4

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