Pastor Cody's Corner: Trusting God

Job 8:21: “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”

Ever feel like the sun isn’t going to come up again? Have you forgotten what it was like to have hope? Have circumstances in your life changed from a hope-filled future full of sunshine and dreams, to a never-ending black cloud of draining doubt and depression? Is it a relationship that was good, but now you wonder if it is going to stand the test of time? Was it something that was unfairly done to you? Was it something that you did, resulting in not even being able to look into the mirror anymore? Have you had a hard time adjusting to all the change that has happened in our country the last several years? Are you too focused on self and the world revolving around you and your never-ending thoughts, feelings, and issues? Is it something out of your control that has you stuck between a rock and a hard place?

No matter what we are going through, whether it is positive or negative, it is good to acknowledge “this too shall pass.” The good times and special events are fun, great, and lifelong memories. This can lead people wishing that all life was like a wedding, birthday party, or some big fun event so there should be no problems, worries, or conflict. People that struggle with this can end up always chasing the next big thing that will make them happy, while missing out on daily habits, routines, and simple steps that will bring consistent joy into their lives. The bad times can be so heavy, hurtful, and overwhelming that we can feel permanently changed, scarred, or irrevocably broken from. We can get so conditioned to negativity in so many ways that we might not even be able to discern what is true and real anymore. Again, people that struggle with this will miss out on simple truth, habits, and routines that can lead them from darkness to light, wrong to right, and lies to truth. Whether it is good times or not so good, we must learn to not be controlled by feelings or circumstances, but by truth.

If there is one thing in this world that I have learned is TRUE yesterday, today, and tomorrow. It is the Word of God. So, when God’s Word tells me in Job 8:21, “He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” I know that no matter what has happened in my life, even if it is unspeakable tragedy or trauma, that one day my mouth will be full of laughter and my lips will shout and praise God with joy.

You could hit me with all the “what if’s” in the world. What if your wife or one of your kids died? What if you lost your health, or your job? What if you were betrayed by those closest to you? What if you did this or that? What if this or that was done to you? The questions could be endless, and I would still point you to Job 8:21.

Why? Because I know God’s word is true. I know my Savior lives and is one day coming again. I know true love on this earth with my immediate family, and from multiple church families. Does that mean it is always happy, joyful, and peaceful in my family or at church? A thousand times no! There is conflict, disagreements, hurt, hurt feelings, rude people, pettiness, misunderstandings and miscommunications, people being deliberately selfish, and that is just in my family. We did not even get to the church, church people, and what can happen there. I hope you can see I am kidding and stating truth.

We need to have a biblical worldview and the word of God in our heart, minds, and lives so that we will survive and keep going no matter what happens. Back to God’s word being true. I can survive and thrive only because of God’s Word, Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit that does so much for all of us who believe. I know that if someone dies in my family that is a Christian, I will see them again. This also motivates me to keep planting seeds to those who do not confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. I know that if someone betrays me, that I am no better than they are for I have betrayed others and I am supposed to forgive and love like Jesus would. I know that if I lost my health in any accident or medical diagnosis that I have been blessed with so many healthy years and that God will be my ever-present help to the end. And then there will be no more crying, no more pain, and no more issues of the like when we are with Him forever and ever. I know that if something horrible were to happen out of the blue, or if I gave into sin and did something horrible myself that there would be consequences, there would be suffering, there would be grieving, but I know that is not the end.

Why? Because, Jesus loves me this I know for the bible tells me so, little ones to him belong they are weak but He is strong.

Have we forgotten who to turn to? Have we forgotten what He did for us, is still doing for us now, and how one day He is coming back? Do you know how to lean on the everlasting arms? Do you have an active prayer life where you draw close to God and find out He draws near to you during these times? Do you see the peace beyond understanding coming with Him? Will you recognize and be overflowing with His love that goes beyond knowledge? Will you follow Him? Will you obey Him?

Trust Him. Life can be different.