When grief overtakes me – when life overwhelms me – when the floor seems to be dropping out beneath my feet – I can fall away, or I can stand firm. The outcome is completely determined by where my eyes find their focus and upon whose strength I am relying upon. Is it my strength? Or have I finally realized my strength is not my best choice? I have available to me a strength of supernatural proportion – should I not then rely upon it?
Who am I? I am the LORD’s beloved. I am chosen. I am accepted. I am forgiven. I am blessed. I am a child of the King.
If my identity is such – and it is – why then would I settle for anything less than falling into the arms and reign of my Heavenly Father? Who is He? The LORD is my light – darkness cannot blind me. He is my salvation – I have no fear of death as my eternity is sealed. He is my rock – nothing can shake the foundation or footing of those who stand upon Him and His word. He is my strength and shield – no weapon formed against me can penetrate through the armor of His protection – He never tires or grows weary. He is my shepherd – aware of my location and circumstance, He leads me and directs my path. He is faithful – never will God abandon me or leave me. He is full of unfailing love – God’s love is not conditional upon what I do or say – God doesn’t just extend love – love is who God is.
In times of good and in times of bad – God’s character remains. He is unchanging.
I find great comfort in knowing that my God continually reveals Himself in the midst of the highs and lows of life so that I can know Him better. He doesn’t have to. He chooses to. Even in His holy perfection, God still desires to be in relationship with me – a broken and sinful person. This is not because of who I am – but because of who God is.
It is because of God and His character that I am in the process of transformation. God loves me too much to allow me to stay as I am. He wants more for me. Something better. And so the challenges of this life and the hand of the Creator upon them continue to shape me into the person that God designed me to be. It’s a slow and painful process, sure, but the payoff or outcome is that I begin to look more and more like my Savior. Oh, how I desire to grow in my resemblance of him!
Where do I sit right now? In grief? In a state of overwhelm? In a place of waiting? In my pain? Wherever I sit, I am in the presence of the Almighty. It is for that reason that I can bask in the truth of His word. “I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.” (Psalm 31:7)
His love is unfailing. He sees me and He cares.
This is an assurance not just for me – this promise is also for you.
Blessings!