Have you been trying to manufacture a set of circumstances in your life to make it look more like you planned?  Maybe you’re telling yourself if you make X happen, life will be more peaceful, more joyous.

Or maybe you thought life would look a certain way today, and it doesn’t.  And you’re having trouble letting go.

The job you’ve failed.

That broken relationship.

The house that won’t sell.

The obstacle you’re encountering.

That financial strain.

The loneliness you feel.

That baby you’ve not conceived.

The rejection you’re facing.

The disease you’re fighting.

That sadness you can’t shake.

The loved one you lost.

Whatever the scenario, you’re feeling disappointed at best and defeated at worst.  I’m so sorry you’re in this place.

I’ve been there. I strain and spin my wheels, forcing my plans into God’s best for my life.  The idea that I could strong-arm or somehow dictate God’s best for my life is impossible, if not laughable.  But the idea that I’m disappointed exposes my misbelief to the contrary.

In no way am I claiming God wants you to experience whatever bad, pain, or disappointment you’re feeling. I don’t believe that.  I’m merely reminding you that your story is not over.

In the interim, when our circumstances or how we feel conflicts with what we know, we stand on what we know.

And we know that–

The Lord is gracious and righteous.

He is full of compassion.

The Lord protects the unwary. When I was brought low, He saved me.

Because of the Lord’s great love, I am not consumed. His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.

In all things, God is working for my good and His glory.

God instructs me in the way of wisdom and leads me along straight paths.  When I walk, my steps are not hampered. When I run, I will not stumble.

I can cast my anxiety on God because He cares for me.

God’s ways and thoughts are higher than mine, but they include plans to prosper and not harm me, plans to give me hope and a future.

I can be at rest because the Lord has been good to me.

Choosing to stand on these truths is sometimes just that–a choice. For me, it’s so often an act of discipline, contrary to my emotions or situation.  But I’m trusting in a God who’s big enough to tie it all together for my good and His glory, whether I understand it or not.  I pray this for you.

“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The Lord protects the unwary; when I was brought low, he saved me.

Return to your rest, my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

For you, Lord, have delivered me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 116:5-9 (NIV).

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'” Lamentations 3:22-24 (NIV).

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV).

“I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.” Proverbs 4:11-12 (NIV).

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV).

‘”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord.  ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'” Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV).

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).

This morn’s caffeine buzz is brought to you by this hefty fella:

I procured this specimen at Costco. He is a no-frills kind of coffee, yet surprisingly sweet. I drink him on the daily and nearly single-handedly finished all three pounds of him.

Gulp.

Much love to you,

Paige