Certainty in Uncertain Times...

Greetings, Everyone!

Susie Larson here...

And to those visiting, I say welcome! I post every Wednesday and my sole purpose is to nourish your soul along the way.

Each month I giveaway a $10.00 gift card to someone who posts on my blog. In honor of the holidays, today I'm giving away a $25.00 gift card from Starbucks. So stop by, share a story, leave a post, and bless lots of people with your insights. Maybe you'll win next month!

And the winner of the $25.00 Starbucks gift card for December is...Linda D.!!! 

Here's the clincher, you have to contact me before I give away next month's gift card. I wish I had the time to track you down, but I don't. Email me at: info@susielarson.com ~ Congratulations!

Now on to my topic...

How are things going in your life? Do your aspirations and cares feel planned out, provided for, steady-Eddie, no problems you can think of right now? I didn't think so.

You'd have to be a rich person living in a mountain cabin with no access to media or people, and no sense of God's burden for the world to be out of touch with the uncertainty of the times.

I've been here before, this place where all appears up in the air, undecided, not-sure-which-way-the-wind-will blow. And each of those times, God has used fleeting circumstances to strengthen my frame, my roots, and my sense of purpose despite the ever-changing world all around me.

Each time I walked through such a season, I grabbed my 'helmet of Salvation' and pulled it on just a little tighter. I asked, "Give me an eternal perspective, here, Lord. What are You doing in my midst and how should I think about it? May the helmet on my head affect my thinking here on earth. The earth is Yours and so there's always more going on than meets the eye. Nothing escapes Your attention. I'm standing with You; help me to think like You." 

The amazing thing is, every time I ask for a higher perspective, I get one. And every time I'm faced with uncertainty, I eventually come upon a deeper peace, an inner strength, and a profound trust that God is who He says He is. I shall not be moved.

Let's look at a couple of verses that support this idea:

James 1:1-8

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. for you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance his fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.  

Count it all joy - in every trial - consider it an opportunity to be strengthened and prepared to stand for the days ahead! So let it grow. In due time, even in sparse times, you'll have all that you need. You'll lack nothing because your resources are the unlimited resources of Heaven.

If you need wisdom for your current situation, ask for it. God will not breathe a heavy sigh or roll His eyes because you feel in over your head. He is a generous God and He will gently and lovingly guide you through all of life's trials. In fact, He loves it when we ask for wisdom! It's a wise thing to do!

But we must make sure that our loyalties are not divided, that we are not double-minded, and that we not live with one foot of affection on worldly pursuits and one foot of affection on Kingdom living. If we attempt to, we'll be miserable and must not expect to receive the wisdom God offers for our current need. Why? Because even if He is speaking wisdom to us, it's not getting through to us. When our footing is unstable and shaky, the first place our eyes go is downward. When our footsteps are firm, we can look up and listen.

Hebrews 10:23

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope that we profess, for God who promised, is faithful.

Romans 8:38

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. Death can't. Life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, or worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away.

So you see, we can either run to and fro and grab quick, band-aid solutions to our problems (which are no solutions at all), or we can call on the Name of the Lord, knowing full well, He is the One who can keep us from falling. He is the One who supplies all our needs! (Phil. 4:19). He is the One who loves us dearly. And He is the One who hears us when we call out to Him.

Refuse to give way to a stressed out, uncertain mindset. That's for un-believers. Do you believe God is true to His Word? Then stand on it! Do not waver! Ask for wisdom! Get rid of the garbage in your life that messes you up and slows you down. Get serious about your walk of faith because the times call for it. 

Nothing is more powerful than a woman or man in step with the Living God. When others see peace and certainty reflected in your countenance, they will be drawn to the Jesus in you. And that was His plan all along.

Have a blessed week.

PS ~ My quarterly E-zine will come out again on January 15th (free books, great quotes, devotional thoughts, ministry updates, etc.) Interested? Subscribe by clicking on this link:

Susie's E-zine

Comments

[kimberlee Patton]

Such a timely post! It is a struggle to not be uncertain when we (personally speaking here) can't get on top of our finances, when I may have to face sending my son into public school, when I can't buy groceries for a week, when I'm not qualified for any job that will bring in a substantial amount to live on.But I know what I have, and that is peace that passes all understanding because I know my Heavenly Father sees the bigger picture. He sees the future, and my future. He cares for His children more than the birds or the flowers that He created. And so I cannot worry about tomorrow. His Word will not allow it. His Word will not change, God Almighty will not change, and that is the constant we can grab in these uncertain times. One of my favorite quotes: All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all that I have not seen.Susie, I love reading your blog and I've never felt led to reply...until now. I always love hearing you on WMBI.

[Loree A]

Happy New Year - and thanks for a good word in season!! This was such confirmation for me - just came from our Wed PM service and the word there was Isaiah 40 - do you not know, have you not heard??? God bless you Susie!!Love in Christ, Loree

[anna J]

It is indeed interested how all of us seem to be struggling with fear . . . in my case, it is the financial uncertainty that goes with joblessness. All of my family members are feeling the financial pinch but I have noticed an unexpected trend in ours, and I think in other stable families: focusing on the family. We are drawing together, spending more of our energy on what really matters, as we cannot control the other things in this unstable world. Births, for instance [2 new babies in one year for us :-)]. And simple time spent together [coming from all ends of the country to spend the holidays cramped together for a week and a half . . . loving our crampedness :-) ] In sum, I am grateful for the centered perspective that God in His grace has been giving!

[Susie Larson]

Wow, Anna,

What a wonderful way to make the most of the times! And two babies in one year - God bless you, girl!

I know others who read this blog will be greatly inspired by your perspective.

Peace to you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Kimberlee,

Thanks so much for your post. When you describe the season you are in it reminds me of our 'Wilderness' years. Those are excruciating, yet growing times. I know you'll look back on this season of life and see it as a time of great fruitfulness (especially in light of the seeds of faith you're planting along the way). With all of my heart I believe that the more we plant during difficult times, the more of a harvest we reap on the other side. Keep digging. Keep planting. Keep believing.

Bless you~

[Susie Larson]

Dear Loree,

I absolutely LOVE that passage from Isaiah!

God - the Creator of the ends of the earth - He does NOT grow weary! And if you're weak, He'll make you strong...those who wait upon the Lord WILL renew their strength...they will RISE UP with wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary; they'll walk and not faint.

My soul waits upon the Lord and in HIS word, do I hope.