Turning Fear into Faith

 So, I’m pretty sure God has a sense of humor. Call it testing my faith or pushing my patience, but lots of things are happening to get my attention lately.
My husband is not working due to a lockout by the company who has employed him for just shy of 30 years. There is no end in sight, but fortunately unemployment is keeping us afloat. We have adjusted our way of living to accommodate our new situation, and it hasn’t been all that painful. But don’t you know that in this short period of 7 weeks, our washer broke, our dishwasher broke, we are having plumbing issues( as in I cannot use my kitchen sink, aforementioned and newly repaired dishwasher or new washing machine!) two vehicles needed tires for inspection and one is heading for service for the 5th time for the same issue!  And this is just the stupid stuff. The more traumatic  personal blows I've sustained this week will have to wait for a future post.

So, this is where the rubber meets the road for me as a Christian. I must continually turn my grief into gratitude and my fear into faith. The same God who parted the Red Sea is present in my situation. He is fully capable of handling all of my stuff; I just need to get out of His way. God says in His word,”be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 .Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians,  "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:6-7
I am a great giver of advice, but am struggling to take it right now. God knows our needs. He also deciphers needs from wants, and He will provide just what is necessary to bring glory to himself. So whatever the outcome, He is in control and He will handle the consequences. I’m going to rest on that, and when I start getting nervous again, I will recommit to the knowledge that He is good and merciful. He is my rock and my fortress. Whom (or what) shall I fear? He is for me, not against me.
        He loves me, and that’s really all that matters at the end of the day.
 
This is a place I revisit in my posts often, because it is my life and where I frequently struggle and must apply scripture. And while my stuff is not life threatening and may be even trivial, I pray you are encouraged to know that you are not alone in your struggles today, no matter how big or small. God is with you and he cares about you.
God, thank you for your generous provision and for your faithfulness to your people. Forgive me when I fail to trust you with my life. I seek contentment in You, Jesus and peace in my heart. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN