For the past two nights, I have only slept four hours. That's because two nights ago, my daughter was rushed to the emergency room after she showed signs of dehydration. It couldn't have been a worse time for her to get sick considering I was supposed to head a camp this week for our young professionals group.
I have to admit that as we sat in the emergency room, hopelessness tried to find its way to my heart. Thoughts like God wasn't in control of my daughter's health or He didn't want our church camp to be a success started to creep in.
But as I sat there, I was reminded by Psalm 38:6 that says, "And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you." As I kept claiming that promise, we were out of the hospital in less than 24 hours and are on our way to our young professionals camp as I write this.
Have you ever experienced such a time where hope wasn't the best solution because you didn't want to be disappointed by God? It might not always seem like the best option to trust Him, but let me tell you that there is no option that works better than God's.
Stop hoping for things to go your way
When we get into Christ, we find out one thing very quickly -- that things still won't go our way when we become Christians. While we do start seeing more results and fruits in our lives, the uncontrollable will still be there as you walk with God.
In this, we must learn that things can still go wrong while God is in charge. It's not because He's just as bad as we are in handling situations, but because He allows messes to come every now and then to grow our character and trust in Him.
Let go of the outcome
I have to admit that there were moments as I sat next to my ailing daughter, who was crying from throwing up non-stop and weak from the discomfort, that I thought my daughter was really sick with something serious.
But as I kept holding on to God's nature, I was reminded that the outcome might not go as I want it to, but God is still way better at taking care of my family than I am. Because of that, I found assurance in knowing that God's will and outcome mattered more than what I wanted the outcome to be.
Hope in the Lord, not in circumstances
Psalm 42:10 says, "Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." Our circumstances may speak against the Word of God's promises at times, but let us remember that our situation is not our god. Jesus is.
Instead of letting your circumstance speak to your faith in God, let your faith in your salvation and your God speak to your circumstance.
