Category: Encouragement

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“God wants what’s best for me” — have you heard that phrase before? For a long time I believed that to be true; but recently I asked myself the question: is this phrase rooted in Biblical truth? The phrase “God wants what’s best for me” can be easily misunderstood to imply that God agrees with our definition of what is best and, when we follow Him, He will cause “what’s best” to always happen for us…

It’s so easy to casually adopt words and phrases that sound nice but, when we fail to measure it against God’s Word, we start believing something that isn’t even true and are left discouraged, disillusioned, and disappointed. God cannot contradict His character: He is loving, kind, patient, true, good, faithful, trustworthy, all-knowing, sovereign…the list goes on. But sometimes things happen that cause us to question God’s intention towards us. Sometimes circumstances can cause us to doubt His character and question: “God, do You really want what is best for me? Cause right now it doesn’t feel like it…”

While God’s plan and purpose may not be what we would’ve chosen or envisioned for ourselves, we can be assured that He wants what is ETERNALLY BEST for us. I think that is the important distinction.

The phrase “God wants what’s best for me” can be misleading and also sound incredibly insensitive when walking through loss, grief, or anything that doesn’t fit into our idea of “good” or “best.”

So…what are examples of God’s best that we find in scripture???

One example that comes to mind is Joseph. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, sold into slavery, accused falsely, thrown into prison, left feeling abandoned and forgotten… and in Genesis 50:20 he says “as for you (his brothers), you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…”

Think about that for a minute….

Joseph is able to confidently say: “what you meant for evil, God meant for good.” From the outside looking in we wouldn’t say that Joseph was living his “best life” and his desires and dreams were definitely not coming true…. and yet God was working thru the circumstances to bring about provision and restoration. God was bringing about HIS BEST in Joseph’s life.

The problem we run into is when we start to think that OUR best life is also God’s best for us. Ouch.

God has called us to lay down and lose our lives. As long as we hold onto our own life He will never be able to live HIS LIFE thru us.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
– Matthew 16:25

It is hard to confess that what we thought we wanted and what we thought was best, good, and right is not the same as God’s will. I’ve cried tears over having to let go of my own desires and expectations. It takes humility to let go of what we had planned so we can grasp what God has for us.

But, like Joseph discovered, God’s plan was something greater than anything he could’ve ever planned or imagined on his own. Because Joseph’s plan became whatever God had for him. His hands were open.

If we don’t surrender our plans to God, then we are at risk of thinking that what we desire as “the BEST” is exactly what God wants for us too. God knew exactly what He was doing in and thru Joseph’s life — but I’m sure Joseph had to surrender his expectations of the way he had imagined his life to go.

Let’s look at the Apostle Paul as another example: by our standards his life (which was filled with suffering, beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks, and ridicule) wouldn’t be our definition of “the best.” BUT in the middle of his suffering Paul RECOGNIZED that it was a part of God’s sovereign will and purpose for his life. Paul was called to the sufferings, and that’s why he was able to say, in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18:

“For our light affliction,
which is but for a moment,
worketh for us a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.”

He calls the suffering MOMENTARY & LIGHT!! *woah* Read all the sufferings Paul listed in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 and tell me if you’d describe them in that way!? I wouldn’t.

Paul realized that what is temporarily painful may also be the same thing that will be eternally beneficial and best for us. We have a tendency to focus on the here & now, but God is outside of time and has a larger perspective than we ever will.

In Philippians 3:12-14 Paul says “…I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me...one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

When we realize that the GOAL and the PRIZE is the upward call of God we realize that anything this world has to offer us pales in comparison with what God has. Too often our GOAL is not Jesus: it’s something or someone else. Too often we hold tightly to other things and we don’t cherish Jesus as our greatest reward and prize. Are we willing to let go of what we are holding onto so tightly, so we can lay hold of what God has for us??

Paul realized what the Apostle John wrote in 1 John 2:17: “And the world is passing away, along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (ESV)

If all our dreams and desires came to pass exactly as we hoped, we wouldn’t walk thru the refining that only happens in times of testing and trial.

Many know the popular Bible verse: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” but, when you read the previous verses in Philippians 4:11-12, Paul says “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.”

Many think that God’s hand is most evident in times of abundance, but God’s hand is just as present in times of suffering and lack. In Christ we can be content in BOTH seasons because HE is our living water and our daily bread (John 7:37-38, John 6:35) our satisfaction and fulfillment comes from HIM. This world and the things in this world will only ever leave us empty, hungry, thirsty, dry, and needy. When we allow God to grow and teach us thru every circumstance we will also be able to walk in contentment because we know He is working. When you’re pursuing Jesus as your GOAL and PRIZE, He will work thru every valley and every mountain to bring you closer to Him and nothing can separate you from Him! We will be able to say, like Joseph and Paul: “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

One day, in eternity, we’ll be able to look back and see His hand in it all. ♡

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 
Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,
or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 
As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 
Yet in all these things
we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life,
nor angels nor principalities nor powers,
nor things present
nor things to come,
nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing,
shall be able to separate us
from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
– Romans 8:35-39

Are you willing to let go of your best in exchange for God’s best??

when fear or worry tempt me to doubt the faithfulness of my God I want these simple words to be the anthem of my heart:

“Jesus; You are able.”

I want those four words to be the song of my soul,
the steady echo of praise resounding in my mind,
whatever the future may, or may not, bring —

I want to be found:
trusting Him
& resting in Him
because He indeed is able.
If He does not,
it is not because He is unable,
but it is simply because
He is working something
far greater than I can imagine.
His thoughts are not mine,
neither are His ways.

Too often, when I am faced with a situation that is scary or unknown, I don’t immediately recall the faithfulness and power of my Savior. I’m prone to look at the storm and take my eyes off of Jesus. I forget that HE IS ABLE. NOTHING is too hard for Him and there is no situation that He cannot redeem or restore. Hope is never lost and nothing is ever too far gone.

There’s a verse in a song called “Hymn of the Ages” by Maverick City that has been on repeat in my head lately:

"blessed assurance
oh, what a grace
I'm prone to wander
But You're prone to chase
This is my story
It's the song that I'll raise
I'll sing of Your goodness
All of my days"

“I’m prone to wander, but You’re prone to chase…” Isn’t that so true?! Time and time again God has proven that He is my Provider, Protector, Comforter, and Helper; so why, when a trial comes, do I question what He is doing and doubt His sovereignty? I question if He is able or if He will…….. and I think that’s one of the hardest things to reconcile on this side of eternity — asking God: “I know You can, so why aren’t You?”

When we’re honest, I believe we’ve all asked a question like that. I want to trust Him, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” But I still ask that sometimes. It is hard to surrender your own will, desires, and expectations — especially when you’re asking for a good thing or for something that you know is aligned with God’s heart. And yet, when we follow Christ, we are called to trust His sovereignty: which looks like praying in faith and letting go of your expectations. We pray in faith: believing He can, but also surrendering our expectations if He doesn’t or if He works in a different way.

Last week, during Bible Study at my church, we were talking about expectations: how, when God doesn’t meet our expectations we should abandon our expectations, not God.

When you’re believing that a situation will turn out one way and it ends differently than you hoped or prayed; or when an answer isn’t coming after months or years and you pray God would move quicker…when you question if He’s even hearing you anymore. In those moments I’m quick to question God and feel overwhelmed, frustrated, and disillusioned. I’m quick to wander, grow impatient, and question His timing. But, looking back at times when I wish a circumstance would’ve ended differently, it has taught me to rely and depend fully on Jesus, not only on what He can do for me.

I’ve heard people making bargains with God, praying things like: “God, if You do ________ I’ll do ______.” Many times people go to God simply for what He can do.

Am I trusting Him for an OUTCOME or am I trusting HIM?

Trials and difficulties can be opportunities to trust God in a greater way. He is the God who fed the multitude — but ever wonder why Jesus didn’t feed hungry multitudes everyday? I think it’s because Jesus didn’t want people following Him for the temporary provision or satisfaction He could give; He wanted people to follow Him because He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Not for the temporary bread He could give, but because He is the Bread of Life. If God answered our every prayer the way we wanted Him to answer, the moment we didn’t get our way we would abandon Him; because we would be following Him selfishly. When Jesus called His disciples to follow Him, He called them not for what He could give them, but for who He is.

Sometimes I think He allows us to be disappointed so we’ll take our eyes off an outcome and fix our eyes on Him.

When He calls us to wait, it is not because He is incapable of working in that moment; it’s because He wants us to trust Him more and not rely on our own strength or power to change a situation.

He is able to change any situation – and if He hasn’t yet maybe it’s because what He’s working in the waiting is of more value and of greater (eternal!) importance. Do not get so focused on what He isn’t doing that you lose sight of what He IS doing today.

Don’t be discouraged when He asks you to wait or His answer isn’t what you expect — worship Him because He is able. NOTHING is impossible for Him. Pray: believing and trusting Him. Surrender: knowing that He holds the outcome in His hands and will give you the strength and grace to receive His will, even when it’s not what you expected.

He is able to replace your fear with faith and your anxiety with peace. He is able to renew your mind and heal your heart.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
– Isaiah 55:8-9

With so much chaos and uncertainty in our world there is no shortage of fear and worry. Every day, with tragedies happening all around, we are faced with the reality that we do not know what tomorrow will bring and are reminded that: we are not in control and do not know what is ahead.

When fear seems like the only appropriate response, is it truly possible to know God’s peace that surpasses all understanding while terror is reigning??

This morning I woke up with the words of Psalm 27:1 on my heart:

“The Lord is my light & my salvation; whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?“

It’s a familiar Psalm but today those two questions struck my heart differently.

I paused, sat with those two questions, and asked myself: “If I truly believe that God is who He says He is (my light, my salvation, and my strength) — then what am I afraid of? Is there a good reason for me to be worried? Should I be fearful?“

Sometimes we are so focused on what is causing us fear that we forget who God is and forget to live in the promises He has given us.

We forget that fear is ultimately a choice and we don’t have to be afraid.

In this verse it’s like David is reasoning with his soul, saying: “is there a good reason for you to be afraid?” Instead of magnifying the fear, David is exalting God above his fear, asking himself:

“Since God is my light — should I fear the darkness?”
“Since God is my salvation — is there a situation He cannot rescue me from?”
“Since God is my strength — should I be afraid of being weak?”

There is no darkness that can quench God’s light!
There is no situation that is so hopeless that God cannot rescue!
There is no weakness that He is unable to overcome!

So I began to bring the things that I fear before the Lord, one by one, it’s like He was lovingly asking me: “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” In Mark 4 Jesus speaks those words to His disciples when they are stuck in the middle of the sea during a storm. It’s not that the storm was not scary but they forgot who was in control of the storm. If they had remembered that Jesus was in control they would have had no reason to fear. They would’ve called out to Jesus instead of relying on their own strength.

When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our fear shrinks in comparison. We have a gracious Heavenly Father, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, who is fighting for us; He is our light, our salvation, and our strength — all we need is in Him.

There will never be a shortage of storms in our lives. In times when life is completely uncertain fear can feel crippling. When we don’t know what the outcome of a circumstance will be, we can have confidence that Jesus can either calm the storm or calm His child in the storm, and either way He is in control.

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.”
– Psalm 34:4

There will always be something tempting us to doubt God and choose fear. Sometimes we choose fear so quickly that we forget there was even a second option! But we are faced with a choice — just like FEAR is a choice, so is FAITH. We cannot live in faith and fear at the same time; we must choose.

When we compare our fear with the greatness and goodness of our God, the One who never changes and holds our days in His loving hands, our fear and the things that worried us will melt away in the light of His presence. Your situation may not change, but your perspective can.

My heart is heavy as I pray for for those in Afghanistan living under the terror of extremists and those in Haiti suffering after another tragic earthquake. I pray that God would work mightily and supernaturally in the midst of such evil and pain. I plead for those who are mourning and suffering in circumstances I may never face. I walk out my front door; realizing that girls across the ocean are unable to do the same. I open my Bible, worship out loud, and gather at church with my brothers and sisters in Christ; remembering that many do not have that freedom. I pray that Jesus would cover them in an unexplainable peace in the midst of such sorrow.

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We have no control over life’s circumstances that evoke fear and worry in our hearts, but we do have a choice to trust God and walk in His promises or allow the situation to overwhelm us and extinguish our faith.

In these uncertain days may we choose to walk by faith and not by sight, fixing our eyes on Jesus: the Author and Finisher of our faith, whatever may come (Hebrews 12:2).

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him,
for he who comes to God must believe that He is,
and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
-Hebrews 11:6