The Vastness of God

So often we find ourselves facing circumstances in this life that can feel overwhelming; feelings of grief, anxiety, fear and a myriad of other emotions. We can feel swamped just as surely as if a tsunsami wave has rushed in and toppled over us; sweeping us along in its churning wake.

In this world you will have trouble, (Matt 16:33) we all know this sentiment. No one truly thinks they will sail through this world without trials and troubles. Just look around. There is so much negative news, and horrible issues being played out on a global scale. But we don't often latch on to the entire verse.

Matthew 16: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

God doesn't tell us we will have trouble to overwhelm us, just the opposite. He tells us it is so we may 1) know where to run to when they do happen and 2) that we may have peace.

When these times of trouble come we must find a way to take a step back from the emotional torrent that the enemy has thrown at us and seek the vastness of God. It is like the saying on car mirrors "Objects may appear closer than they are" when we are confronted with a challenge it can seem overwhelming. The enemy loves to puff up an issue to make it seem insurmountable and to cripple us by our own emotions. The truth is, when we can simply take a step back we see that God is so much bigger than anything we are facing. Just look at Genesis 1 : 2-5

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day."

In just this short passage the earth went from formless and void to living and active, overrun with the abundant presence of God. I don't know about you but as I read on and realize that my God spoke and stars were created my issues, challenges and emotions get very small very quickly. What can come against me that my star breathing God can not handle?

When we allow God to expand our gaze to take in more of who He is we can change everything in a split second, all power is robbed from the enemy and we feel anchored in the midst of the swirl of emotions, concerns and confusion. Let's ask God to blow up our image of who He is and to show us how to consider the vastness of God and walk in the victory of our Savior!