“GODFIDENCE”: Having Confidence in God

“Thus my heart was grieved, And I was pricked in my reins. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. Nevertheless I am continually with thee: Thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, And afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: But God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalm 73:21-26 KJV

How many times haven’t we cried out to God and He has given us strength? How many times haven’t we cried out to God to take away a pain or a situation? And yet even in those moments He always gives us strength to keep moving, to keep living, to keep breathing. As the word says he is the strength of not just our hearts but also our portion (all that we have and own) forever.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 KJV

Faith does not make us immune to the hardships of life. There are moments when jobs are lost, hearts are broken, or loved ones are taken before their time. There are other times when we are left waiting (and waiting and waiting) for our dreams to come to fruition. The dream for a child, a spouse, or for a relationship to be restored. For a loved one to overcome an illness or addiction. For a break in our career. Our hearts are left aching with longing for what we don’t yet have. Yet in our moments of unbelief and despair the word of God admonishes is this:

“Let not thine heart envy sinners: But be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; And thine expectation shall not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:17-18 KJV

Most of us have spent time picturing what our lives will look like. We paint a canvas in our heads of our marriages, children, careers, friendships, and sometimes even apportion timelines for all of these things. Having a vision, direction or expectation of how our lives should pan out is a good thing, but what happens when our dreams and expectations are shattered by life’s disappointments? By the death of a loved one, the breakdown of a marriage, or the loss of a career? How do we respond? Do we get angry towards God and respond in bitterness? Do we vow to never dream again, or trust again, because it hurts too much to hope? Or, are we willing to stretch forth our hands to the heavens and surrender the canvas of our lives to Him.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV

I have also painted a canvas of what my life would look like in my mind, but I have discovered that my canvas may not be consistent with the ultimate canvas that God is painting for me. Fantasy can be idolatry, oftentimes driven by the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. We are more prone to veer off God’s perfect will for our lives when we put our trust in an image carved out by our minds. It can be much easier to place our trust in something we can see and control, than to place it in a God we cannot see and cannot control. Give him your life as a blank canvas and trust Him to paint a masterpiece. Offer your life as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto Him alone.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9 KJV

God cares about us, and He cares about our dreams. He cares enough that He is willing to redirect us away from what we think we want, so that He can lead us into what He has for us; His perfect will for our lives. Have unrelenting confidence in God Almighty and watch Him transform your life into a spectacle of His glory.

Love, Esinam.