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This past week was one of definite challenges. I lost a friend suddenly as she went home to be with Jesus. There were several crisis at work that added stress and hectic juggling of workloads, appointments and duties. I came home Thursday evening with a splitting headache and just an overwhelmed spirit. As I lay down that night I spent some time talking with the Lord and just letting Him renew my spirit.
I woke the next morning feeling much more able to handle all the situations at work. I headed into the office later than normal and because of this I actually got to see the sunrise. Normally its dark when I go to the office and dark when I come home. I was astounded by the gorgeous display I saw and had to stop and take the photo above. It struck me as I sat taking the photo just how much God is with us. I didn't have to face those challenges alone, He sustained me and when I finally had a moment to breathe He washed over me with His love bringing rest to my spirit.
So often Satan attempts to create a whirlwind around us or take circumstances and whip them into a frenzy to try and overtake us and cause us to think that God is nowhere to be found. That may be what our emotions tell us in times of trial but the truth is that He is an ever present help. Psalm 46: 1-3 reminds us that no matter what circumstances appear to be He is bigger than the circumstances we see.
"God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear,Even though the earth be removed,And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,Though the mountains shake with its swelling. "
If you are facing such circumstances take a moment and consider God, who He is, what He has done, and what His Word has spoken. You will begin to see your circumstances in a different perspective. We need to renew our mind to keep front and center just how amazing and awesome our God is! I am reminded of the story in Matthew 14 where Peter steps out of the boat to meet Jesus as He walks on the water. We give Peter a hard time because he began to sink but let us consider that he first took that step of faith. It wasn't out of lack of ability on God's part to keep him on the surface it was because Peter began to look at the winds and waves and consider that they were mighty rather than keeping His eyes on the One who is Almighty.
Revelation 12:11 tells us "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death." This is the key to overcoming hard times and walking in victory. If we have accepted that Jesus loved and died for us to reconcile us to God and we renew our minds by remembering what He has done for us what can stand against us?