“God intended it for good…”
Genesis 50:20
I
felt as if the rug had been pulled out from under me, landing me on my back,
staring at the ceiling, and wondering what happened. The news of a major job change
for my husband, less than ten years from retirement took us by surprise.
It’s
easy to make plans, taking the current state of affairs for granted, and assuming
nothing will change. We have the head knowledge that God will care for us in
any situation, but when that knowledge is tested, it can create doubt and fear.
Scripture says that man makes his plans, but the outcome is in God’s hands.
However, knowing that and putting our faith in action are two different things.
We
live close to all of our family, and built the home we planned to retire in. We
were settled in our church, Bible study, and routines. Life was supposed to
slowly wind down surrounded by the familiar. Suddenly, we faced a future that threatened
to take us away from everything familiar and loved. Though not out of malice,
our change, like Joseph’s was not of our choosing. Nothing prepared us for what
was coming.
Joseph
was transported to a strange culture, surrounded by strange people, far from
everything he knew, by someone else’s choice. It wasn’t a dream. My husband’s
boss made a decision that changed all of our plans.
David’s
trials grew him into a man of great spiritual depth and exemplary character. He
trusted God to provide all he needed, gave his best, and prospered. We knew God
could do that for us too, but we still cried out “Why?”
What
trials and changes face you today? God is big enough to handle all the questions
and doubts. He hears the cries of our hearts, and understands our fear of the
unknown. He promises He will never leave or forsake us, and tells us to be at
peace. “Sometimes the greatest blessings come when we leave the familiar behind
and take a step of faith.” (1)
Determine
to wake each morning with an attitude of trust in God and a believing heart
that refuses to fear. It’s not easy, but stepping out in faith yields rewards we
never dreamed possible.
© Copyright
February 9, 2013 by Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, revised April 28, 2015
Quote from Land of My Dreams by Norma Gail
Norma
Gail’s debut contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, set in Scotland
and New Mexico released in April 2014. She has led weekly women’s Bible studies
for 19 years. Her devotionals, poetry have appeared at ChristianDevotions.us,
the Stitches Thru Time blog, and in “The Secret Place.” She is a member of
American Christian Fiction Writers, FaithWriters, Romance Writers of America, and
the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is a former RN who lives in the
mountains of New Mexico with her husband of 38 years. They have two adult
children.
www.normagail.org
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNormaGail
Book Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864
?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
