I asked myself why do we think that kind of feeling of security has to dissolve when we become adults and face the reality of the hardships of life. Yes life is unpredictable and difficult. The road is broken more often than it is smooth. Life throws curve balls that we didn't plan for and we face sadness, fear and discouragement on levels we never expected. The harshness and uncertainty of this world can make us cynical and guarded but God never intended for it to. He wants us to have that unwavering faith and security in Him the way our children do with us, so that when troubles come we can be grounded in Him and we can be ready to give an answer when the world asks of the hope they see in us. Unlike human parents, God is a father who most certainly CAN protect us and keep us safe at all times but that doesn't mean we will never face struggles in our life. We falsely believe that God is only protecting us when the road is smooth and there are no difficulties. But when we walk the broken paths we question His love and security. We feel like he has left us to handle our problems alone yet all the while he was right beside us, wishing we would let Him wrap us in his wings, not so that the difficulty would absolve, but that while we endured the hardship we could feel the peace that only He gives, knowing that regardless of what trials may come we are safe in His arms. In John 16:33 Christ himself gives us the encouragement we need about facing adversity. "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." (NIV) I've seen God at work enough in the difficult times to believe with certainty that He will never leave us, that even when things look like they are falling apart He is working behind the scenes on my behalf. So like a child who believes without having to see I can sing the lyrics to Everything Falls by Fee with confidence and peace. "When I see the darkness all around me, when I see that tragedy has found me, I still believe your faithful arms will never let me go."
This morning I hear my littles laughing from the living room as they play the Wii and the teens are still asleep (in their defense it's only 8am lol). The house is mostly clean, which is a little unusual for this time of the morning. And I am on my first cup of tea. It's a rare, peaceful morning, as most moms can probably relate mornings are usually full of demands. I was spending some time listening to my littles talk and reflecting on how completely they trust their dad and I. Of course they believe the things we tell them, or promises we make. They've not had a reason to doubt it. But this morning I was reflecting on the way they trust things unspoken and believe we will take care of their every need. And that's when I began to wonder why we as children of God do not trust him completely with every aspect of our lives. I love to see my kids being carefree and silly. My heart is glad when I see them content and happy because I know that the day is coming when they will have troubles and difficulties they have to overcome and I can't always protect them from everything they will encounter. As their mom I want to shield them from every unpleasant experience. I want to keep them safe in my "nest" where they will never be hurt or have to face hard choices. But I also want to see them spread their wings and fly toward their dreams. I want to see them embrace all God has planned for their lives and live with abandon to His call. That means they will have to face hardship at some point. No one gets through life without a few bumps and scrapes. But for now, at six and eight years old, they don't know that. They only trust with unwavering faith that mom and dad will take care of everything. That there is nothing we won't fix, no broken toy or scraped arm that can't be mended. For this season of their lives I love that they have that security and feeling of safety.
I asked myself why do we think that kind of feeling of security has to dissolve when we become adults and face the reality of the hardships of life. Yes life is unpredictable and difficult. The road is broken more often than it is smooth. Life throws curve balls that we didn't plan for and we face sadness, fear and discouragement on levels we never expected. The harshness and uncertainty of this world can make us cynical and guarded but God never intended for it to. He wants us to have that unwavering faith and security in Him the way our children do with us, so that when troubles come we can be grounded in Him and we can be ready to give an answer when the world asks of the hope they see in us. Unlike human parents, God is a father who most certainly CAN protect us and keep us safe at all times but that doesn't mean we will never face struggles in our life. We falsely believe that God is only protecting us when the road is smooth and there are no difficulties. But when we walk the broken paths we question His love and security. We feel like he has left us to handle our problems alone yet all the while he was right beside us, wishing we would let Him wrap us in his wings, not so that the difficulty would absolve, but that while we endured the hardship we could feel the peace that only He gives, knowing that regardless of what trials may come we are safe in His arms. In John 16:33 Christ himself gives us the encouragement we need about facing adversity. "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." (NIV) I've seen God at work enough in the difficult times to believe with certainty that He will never leave us, that even when things look like they are falling apart He is working behind the scenes on my behalf. So like a child who believes without having to see I can sing the lyrics to Everything Falls by Fee with confidence and peace. "When I see the darkness all around me, when I see that tragedy has found me, I still believe your faithful arms will never let me go."
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About MeI'm Becca, a former chocolate junkie, herbal enthusiast, curriculum writer, homeschool mom to four active kids, wife to my jack of all trades hubby, blessed child of God. Archives
November 2018
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