“You don’t know what I know or see what I see!”
When I read those words on my Jesus Calling app yesterday, around 2 p.m., it sent chills down my spine! In part because I had already heard them two times before in less than two hours from different sources.
While all this was taking place, I was on the Walker Course at Clemson. I was in the midst of shaving snowballs for the participants of the FCA Dabo Swinney Golf Classic. The day started with excitement and fun, but when my phone started blowing up with construction problems for our new Pelican’s SnoBall in Athens, GA, my mood and day wanted to grow dim.
I’ve lived long enough to realize I am not alone. It happens to everyone. The unexpected happens. Even when you plan and do everything in your power to do the right thing, plans fail and problems spring from nowhere.
From experience in handling these kinds of situations poorly and having decided that I didn’t like to retake tests God allowed in my life, I am finally learning the proper reactions to activate my faith and trust in Jesus.
First, I prayed asking God to help me trust and remain faithful to what He had led us to do in Athens. I asked that no matter the problem that I would refuse to give into fatal and negative thinking. It was not but minutes later that I felt God say in my spirit, “My ways aren’t your ways. I know and see all. You do not. I will never leave you nor forsake you!”
Then, for extra prayer I texted a few friends who are “warriors of prayer” and one responded with, “God is never late. He knows what you do not know and sees what you do not see!” Then I opened my app to read a message from Jesus Calling just so I could continually stay in a faith and trusting state of mind. I was so encouraged when I read those words and got the same message for the third time!
Literally, within TWO hours, I heard the same message three different ways all pointing me to God. As the day progressed I was actually able to enjoy my day, seeing God in the smallest details of my day and positive things happening in other areas of my life.
The message here: Nothing takes God by surprise.
His timing is perfect and even in dealing with the most unexpected problems, HE IS FAITHFUL. Turn to Him. Refuse to wring your hands. Literally take your cares and concerns directly to Him. HE IS FAITHFUL…OH so faithful to encourage and comfort.
Now, it hasn’t made our problems go away with the new Pelican’s, but it has given us the grace to walk forward and the wisdom to know what steps to take to address them. There is significant value, spiritually, when life’s unexpected problems spring up to stop, take a deep breath and turn to the One who gave us breath and pray. Prayer does move mountains. Sometimes those mountains are made of how we respond to the problems and not the problems themselves.
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Let me hear what God the Lord will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly” (Psalm 85:8).
“There is only one way of victory over the bitterness and rage that comes naturally to us –– to will what God wills brings peace.” ~Amy Carmichael
