Christ Will Rescue You

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Shift from Reaction to Response

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NLT), our Heavenly Father gave the Apostle Paul a powerful truth: “9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” This passage reassures us that even in our darkest moments—whether we face physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual struggles—these are opportunities for God's strength to shine through. Our vulnerabilities are not just burdens but opportunities for God’s power to manifest in our lives.

Life’s unpredictability can bring us to our knees, but as God’s children, He has equipped us with the authority of Jesus Christ to overcome any challenge victoriously. By staying rooted in God’s Word, we can navigate life’s storms with confidence and resilience, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for spiritual growth. To make this happen, we must have faith in God. We shouldn’t give in to doubt when things get tough because God has promised to help us. No matter the severity of the difficulty, everything will be resolved when we remain committed to having faith in our Heavenly Father.

When we’re going through it and we feel like our backs are against the wall, we might think that our Heavenly Father has forsaken us. Some people who haven’t learned more about Him through His Word might even blame God for their misery, believing He is punishing them. But this is not true. God does not cause bad things to happen to us. He is a God of peace and has given us the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ so that His peace can continually dwell in our hearts.

Rather than focusing only on the problem, Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) encourages us to shift our thoughts to God: “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” We need to focus our minds on God’s goodness, mercy, and grace. Instead of letting darkness lead us into regression, we should recognize that we can rise higher in Christ. By growing in faith and spiritual maturity, we gain a new perspective—one that transforms worry into joy in the Lord.

Hebrews 11:6 (NLT) encourages us to cultivate thoughts and emotions that help us please our Heavenly Father. The verse states, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” In times of adversity, our natural tendency is to react impulsively, often driven by fear, frustration, and anxiety But instead of letting those negative emotions take over, this verse challenges us to respond with faith. Rather than letting fear control our actions, we’re called to trust in God and believe that He’s got our back. By choosing faith over fear, we stay aligned with God’s plan and open ourselves up to His guidance and blessings.

In practical terms, this means actively shifting our focus from problems to God's promises. Instead of dwelling on what might go wrong, we can remind ourselves of God's past faithfulness and His assurances for the future. This shift in perspective not only helps us manage stress and anxiety but also strengthens our relationship with God. When we make a habit of responding with faith, we’re not just coping with challenges; we’re growing spiritually and building resilience. Our faith becomes a powerful tool for navigating life’s ups and downs, transforming obstacles into opportunities for deeper connection with God and His purpose for us.

In real terms, this means shifting our focus from what’s going wrong to what God has promised. Rather than stressing about potential problems, we should remind ourselves of God’s past help and His promises for the future. This change in perspective not only helps us deal with stress but also strengthens our communion with God. When we make faith our first response, we’re not just handling tough times better—we’re also growing spiritually and becoming stronger. Our faith becomes a game-changer for navigating life’s challenges, turning obstacles into chances for deeper spiritual growth and, most importantly, forging a stronger relationship with God.■

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

“Shift from Reaction to Response”, written by Kim for https://rescuefromdomesticviolence.blogspot.com© 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Let God Handle It

Proverbs 20:22 (NLT) says, “Don’t say, ‘I will get even for this wrong.’ Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” This verse offers profound guidance for us as believers, calling us to a higher standard of patience and trust. Sometimes, living out this principle can be incredibly challenging, especially when we are deeply hurt by the actions of others.

As believers that are following the example of Jesus Christ, we can face life’s ups and downs from a place of unwavering faith in God’s love and grace. Galatians 5:25(NLT) tells us, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.” The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, and we apply our faith as we yield to him and trust his guidance. This faith we have in the Spirit is not just a shield against hardship but a source of strength to face it. He empowers us beyond what we can imagine.

The mindset of walking by faith and following the Spirit’s guidance is beautifully illustrated by the story of a dear sister-friend of mine, who found herself grappling with a significant personal trial. She had been in a relationship where promises of change were made, especially on a hopeful occasion like Mother’s Day weekend. Her boyfriend vowed to stop drinking and seek help for his anger issues, but instead of improvement, his behavior worsened. This culminated in a frightening and aggressive outburst where he physically pinned her against the wall. Her initial reaction was one of pain and a strong desire for retribution.

A strong desire for revenge is not uncommon to most of us. We see it everywhere—when people are hurt or wronged, their first impulse often is to seek revenge or justice on their own terms. The natural human response is to want to “get even,” to balance the scales of justice according to our own understanding. Yet, the wisdom of Proverbs 20:22 calls us to a different path.

My friend defended herself, but also remained calm so that the situation didn’t escalate any further. However, her anger after this incident was almost uncontrollable. “No man has ever put their hands on me like that, and I’m going to make him pay!” she said. In moments of hurt and betrayal, the temptation to retaliate is strong. We might feel justified in our anger and think that we can manage the situation better than God could. But Proverbs 20:22 reminds us that seeking revenge not only fails to bring us true healing, but it also endangers us further. When we act out of hurt, we often make things worse rather than better, compounding our pain and possibly leading to more significant consequences.

Rather than taking matters into our own hands, we need to allow the Holy Spirit to take the lead. His power has no equal, and when we place our trust in him, he will guide us to God’s Will. John 16:13(NLT) tells us, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” The Holy Spirit tells us what he has heard from our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and Jesus is the answer to all life’s questions. Rather than acting out of revenge, the Lord commands us to shift our gears to faith in him, so he can bring resolution, restoration, and healing.

My sister-friend ultimately gave up her plans for revenge. She learned the hard way that God’s way is always best. We must draw near to Him and be patient as He guides us. Lamentations 3:25(NKJV) says, “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.” The call to “wait for the Lord” is not a passive or inactive stance. It’s an active trust in God’s justice, mercy, and timing. Waiting for the Lord means surrendering our need for immediate resolution and trusting that God sees the full picture, that He is righteous in His judgments, and that His plans for us are good. ■

New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Waiting for God’s Help

When things go wrong, our first instinct is often to fix them ourselves. But what happens when we can’t? Who do we turn to? As believers, we should always turn to God, yet sometimes we find ourselves questioning His plan or our own faith. Life can be tough; it can wear us down and cause us to wonder if we’ll find true answers and lasting peace. Many of us can relate to the sentiments in Psalm 69:3 (NLT): “I am exhausted from crying for help; my throat is parched. My eyes are swollen with weeping, waiting for my God to help me.” This verse captures the raw emotion and desperate need for God’s intervention that many of us experience during times of hardship and uncertainty. It reminds us to lean on God completely, trusting that He hears our cries and will provide comfort, guidance, and help in His perfect timing.

I recall a time in my life when I had to wait for God’s help. Early in my marriage, my husband became physically abusive. The signs were there even before we married, but I ignored them. Many nights, I cried myself to sleep, feeling trapped and without a way out. It was during those darkest moments that I turned to prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength. I questioned why this was happening and struggled to find the courage to change my situation.

Psalm 46:1-2 (NLT) reassures us, “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea.” These verses are more than encouragement; they stand as a powerful testament to the enduring goodness of God and His unwavering love for us. Our faith in God provides a refuge and a source of strength that sustains us through the most challenging times. It reminds us that even in the face of overwhelming circumstances—like earthquakes and mountains crumbling—God remains steadfast and ready to intervene on our behalf.

This truth should inspire and secure our overwhelming confidence in Him. When we love and honor God, we find that He never disappoints. His promises hold true, and His presence brings peace amidst turmoil. This assurance allows us to face difficulties with courage, knowing that God is with us and will guide us through every storm.

In John 16:33 (NLT), Jesus Christ reminds us, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” The challenges of life can weigh heavy on us, especially the emotional, mental, and physical toll of domestic violence and abuse. It may seem that there’s no way out, but Jesus reminds us to focus on the victory he won for us on the cross when he gave his life as a sacrifice for our sins. He invites us to lay our burdens down and trust him with them.

It took time for me to grow in faith and courage, and to open my eyes to all the ways God was helping me. He had been extending His hand all along, and when the veil of doubt was removed, I could see His hand of mercy guiding me through the darkness. Through His grace and by following His guidance, He transformed my life in ways I never imagined possible, and He wants to do this for everyone that comes to Him.

Jesus plainly tells us that life won’t be easy. We will face trials and sorrows, but we can take heart because He has overcome them all. In every circumstance, we find resilience knowing that God's strength sustains us. We won’t break or crumble because His promises are steadfast, and His love is unending. God can handle whatever burdens we cast upon Him; we just need to trust that He is faithful to His Word. ■