The Truth of Our Stories
Life has taught me that it does not always play out according to the script I have written and always expected my life to follow. I have been surprised by sorrow, disappointment, and an uninvited feeling of being left behind. Life has also taught me that It is especially important to hang on to what I know to be true, especially when circumstances seem upside-down.
Truth: “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT). His purpose for me is not abandonment. He is with me. I am not overlooked or a side note.
Truth: “No power in the sky above or in the earth below–indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 3: 39 NLT). I read once that one person plus God makes an unconquerable majority. This means that nothing, whether appearing to be good or bad, can separate me from the love of God. I am deeply loved and secure.
Truth: “To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory.” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT). I am not without hope. My mixed up, messy circumstances are not the end of His story for me.
No matter what circumstances we face, God is with us and has written a better story than we could ever imagine. We can rest in this truth or struggle to rewrite our stories. The key is to keep our eyes set on Jesus and not our circumstances.
Truth: We must not keep our eyes on the high waters and scorching fires, but on God. He is with us. We are precious to Him and loved forever (Isaiah 43: 1 – 5). Nothing, nothing can rewrite this! This is our hope. This is our victory.
