What do you do when life throws you an unexpected curve ball? How do you process? The other day my husband and I brought our car in to get the AC recharged because it has a leak. It is an older car but we didn’t really expect it to be a tremendous expense. Unfortunately, things didn’t turn out exactly as we had hoped and we were suddenly faced with some major repairs. It’s never a good thing when your mechanic says that word transmission, right? The total bill they quoted was over $5,000. I’m pretty sure at this point in the car’s life it is not even worth that much. Major decision-making time.
Here are some ways I wanted to respond: Anger, Fear, Frustration. This wasn’t part of our financial plan. Why why why?
But, then something else happened.
I remembered a time when my husband and I were struggling financially and God delivered us. God was FAITHFUL to us. I remembered how it felt during that really stressful time to pause for a moment and breathe out despair, worry and anxiety and breathe in hope, faithfulness and trust. I remembered what it felt like to BELIEVE God would work a miracle and I watched him do it. I think God gives us these experiences along the way as little breadcrumbs when we lose our way. He whispers gently…use these as a guide to find your way back to me. Rest, dear ones, I’ve got this.
I have a challenge for you friends, because, here is the thing, life is not going to stop throwing us curve balls here on Earth. It’s just the way things are going to roll. But, we can train ourselves to look up, to remember God’s faithfulness and surround ourselves with scripture verses and praying friends so we can get through our challenges.
Here are 4 steps that have helped me strengthen my trust in God.
- Write down a few instances where God has been faithful to you. Perhaps they are times when you felt him lead you out of a bad situation or into the right situation. Or, perhaps a door was opened or closed. If you are struggling with this ask friends to share their experiences with you, pray for God to reveal things in your own life or write down key stories from the Bible you can read when you are faced with difficult decisions.
- Write down the names of a few friends that you can call when you need prayer. Put yourself out there. It is okay to struggle and it is okay to ask for prayer. It may mean putting your pride aside, but it will be worth it.
- Make a list of scripture verses around specific topics that you can repeat over and over when you are struggling. Marinade your heart in truth! I’ve put together a list for you as an example below. You can write these verses on notecards, on your bathroom mirror, or just hang up a list and refer to it. Pray these verses, repeat them, and memorize them. Let them wash over you.
- When something unexpected happens force yourself to pause and look up first. Take a deep breath in and fill yourself with God’s hope and breathe out the despair, worry and anxiety about to take over. BELIEVE God will work in your life.
I’d love to hear your ideas. What are some steps you take to build trust in God? Let’s grow into a tribe that BELIEVES strongly that God will move in our lives.
Verses for Peace / Guidance / Strength
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
2 Corinthians 4:16-17
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Job 8:7
Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.
Psalm 40:5
Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Psalm 37: 3-5
Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.
Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3-4
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.
John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Colossians 3:15
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
Job 23:10
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Matthew 6: 33-34
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6 25-34
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Psalm 55:22
Cast your cares on the LorD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.
1 Peter 5:7
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
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