Welcoming in a new year and the opportunity for a fresh start is something I've always looked forward to. On this New Year's Eve, however, hopeful anticipation was replaced by guilt over my many blessings, apprehension that things had been good for too long and were about to change, and an irrational fear that 2021 was going to be a stormy year of tests and tribulations.But then, God...
My very first devotion of the year, Unchartered Waters (in Our Daily Bread), addressed my fears with a reminder that even though none of us knows the future or what storms it may hold, whatever we face, God will be with us, and He has the power to calm the waves.
Later, I decided to listen to a sermon from a series I've been listening to, and the one that came up was a message by Pastor Gary Hamrick of Cornerstone Chapel, entitled Don't Be Afraid. No coincidence here. After quoting several verses found in Isaiah, chapters 41-43 that confirmed the message from my devotional, he ended with a powerful acronym:
F -- (My) Father
E -- Eternal
A -- Almighty
R -- Reigns
Don't you just love the way God gently guides us and shows His hand in our lives?
ReplyDeleteThat's the way He did last week in one of my devotions too. It talked about not fearing the unknown and that He had my hand to go though it.
God is good.
Sue
Thank you, this was indeed very calming.
ReplyDeleteThere are many things to be anxious about. So thankful that God is in control! Good devotions. PS - my SIL works for Our Daily Bread. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this reminder. Fear doesn't help us go anywhere but we become paralyzed instead. I'd like to remind myself that if I allow fear to increase, then I'm also having less and less of faith which is not good. Knowing that He is always true and faithful no matter what's going on around me. I want to thank you sister for your thoughtfulness and all those warm greetings you sent my way. It surely blessed me. And oh yeah, it's been 29 yrs. by God's grace. Thanks be to God. God bless and strengthen you always.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this has been a comfort to you. Whatever we go through, god is there with us.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful comfort. I Know God goes through all our trials with us and losses and all the rest. Dec was a wild month for us. Our youngest son was hospitalized with a lung infection. Then the great grand girl came three months early on Christmas Eve. It has been a stressful time but getting better each day. I hope you have a happy new year and wonderful week. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandra - I really needed this.
ReplyDeleteI, too, fear that 2021 isn't going to be any better than 2020.