This is going to be a bit more personal Daily Dose of Encouragement. Yesterday, I took some time to reflect on the last few months. All I could think of was “… but God.”
What do I mean by that? Bear with me a minute as I try to explain.
There are so many instances of “But God” verses in the Bible. We often correctly think of them in the sense of our spiritual salvation which is absolutely true, accurate, and important. Our relationship with God is vital to every part of our lives. Romans 5:8 comes to mind, “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” This is a powerful verse and so important.
However, God also steps into our lives. Let’s look at Psalm 86:14-17.
“14 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, Lord, hast holpen me, and comforted me.”
The Psalmist was facing enemies, being pursued, and was in a bad place. I think we can insert our circumstance in verse 14, whatever that is. Insert whatever you are facing no matter how insignificant it may seem to others. Then, look at verse 15. “But thou, O Lord…” David knows God will step in. He confidently asks God for help.
So, how does this relate to what has been happening in my life over the past few months?
New health conditions came at the very busiest time of year at work last fall, in the midst of much stress. The new conditions meant up-ending my life. Everything was affected as a new allergy to a preservative meant immediately removing it from the house. It is in everything from medication to supplements to cleaning supplies to soaps/shampoos/etc. to food to ink to band-aids. You get the idea. Not only did we have to identify it immediately, but we had to also come up with solutions quickly. I mean… you kind of need those things I just mentioned. It was an impossible situation humanly speaking, coming at the time that it did. It has meant more drain on resources in every way as we work to balance making things from scratch or purchasing the much more expensive safe product.
But God stepped in. He has given great wisdom and also directed to huge sales on safe items. My family has supported by assisting as I struggle to keep up with necessary “survival” tasks of making foods, soaps, and much more. We are working together to find sustainable solutions. It has become a fun adventure to simply sit back and watch God work.
Then, after seven months of waiting for a specialized specialist appointment over an hour away from my home, we had to reschedule due to weather and illness. The new appointment was five more months away. Yet, God gave an overwhelming sense of peace and seemed to be saying, “Just stand still and see what I do.” God did step in. Upon learning that the very type of specialist I needed had just moved to an office 15 minutes from my home, we contacted my doctor for a referral. We had an appointment there three days later. Seriously… three days later. They did indeed find the suspected diagnosis. Treatment will be in my own city and begins in just a week. It was another “but God” moment!
Why do I share this? Sometimes, we forget that in addition to the amazing grace God gives us spiritually, God cares about the details of our lives. In the midst of stress and impossibility, God is still in control. I know that many of you are facing impossible and overwhelming situations right now. Take it to Him as David did. Then, watch for the “but God” moments. They are incredible! We serve an awesome God! As my dad would have said, “Who wouldn’t love a God like that!”
What “But God” moments have you seen this week?
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