The LORD is good, a stronghold in a day of distress; He cares for those who take refuge in Him. Nahum 1:7 HCSB
This verse sums up how I see things now. I also truly believe Romans 8:28 which tells us that all things work for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I try my best to obey Philippians 4:8 which tells me to focus on all that is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. It tells me to dwell on any moral excellence and any praise. I’ve found that only Jesus Christ meets all of these standards, so I guess it’s best if we focus on Him.
Of course, Matthew 6:33 tells us if we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness that all we need will be provided for us.
Keeping these Scripture passages in mind helps me to have the proper perspective on life here on planet earth. Jesus told us in John 16:33 that we will have trouble in this world but that we should not fret because He has overcome the world.
Perspective is defined as a particular attitude toward or a way of regarding something, a point of view.
For example, we’ve all experienced those days when nothing seems to be going right. It’s on those days we may just decide to scrap our plans and go back to bed. We plan our days and then trouble gets in our way. We are told in Proverbs 16:9 that a man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
I try my best to live by Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways and He will guide you on the right paths.” I try each and every day to begin my day with prayer and ask God to guide me in the way I should go. I also ask for His protection and guidance as I go through my day.
In doing this, I realize that when my day gets disrupted, and nothing goes as I had planned God has a good reason for it. I’m sure the break down my husband had last week in the middle of nowhere where we almost never got a tow truck and could not get Lyft, Uber or Enterprise to pick him up happened for a good reason. I’m also sure there was a good reason our local Enterprise had no vehicles we could rent.
My nephew was off work that day and he and his wife had a vehicle I could use and keep until we get our car going. God’s hand was at work. God provided a way through my nephew. He provided good friends that kept a check on us during the day and offered their help as well. My stepson also offered to travel the two hours to get his dad.
As I drove, I couldn’t help but thank God for the beautiful day He provided. I thanked God for the goodness of friends and family who were there and willing to help out in our time of need.
In Jeremiah 29:11, Jeremiah tells the people that the Lord says, “I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a hope and a future.” But back in verse 10 of Jeremiah 29, The Lord lets them know, through His prophet Jeremiah, they will be taken captive for 70 years in Babylon. He promises, however, to restore them and promises to take good care of those who remain faithful to Him.
We are going to go through times of trouble. But Jesus tells us to take heart, for He has overcome the world. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances.
God knows the future. He knows what lies ahead and He goes before us. Trust in Him and His goodness. He is good, He is our refuge. In times of trouble, give thanks. Know He is there for you. Having the proper perspective will make your bad day so much better.
The way I choose to see it is, “God’s got this!” And I’m so thankful to Him for that!
Have a great day!