Choices?

When things are hard, I have a choice.  Am I going to look at the circumstances around me, or am I going to keep my focus on my Heavenly Father?  As my mountains of circumstances seem to be growing bigger as I face people, situations & environments that are hardened towards God's truths & commandments, how am I going to respond?

In my flesh - I want to panic.  I want to grab control.  I want God to give me answers to my questions.  Questions like... Why?  Now what?  What do you want me to do?  God, do you see how impossible this is?  God, do you see how much pain there is for so many people in this?  Why won't you change my circumstances God? 

In faith - I am able to cling to His promises.  Because of His great work in me, He can stop the panic in me.  Pouring over His Words in the Scriptures, crying out to Him, knowing that He cares for me (1 Peter 5:17), knowing that He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  Knowing that I am to be strong & courageous, to not be frightened nor dismayed for the Lord my God is with me wherever I go (Joshua 1:9).  That because I love God, I can be confident that He is working all things together for my good, according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  And that is just the beginning of the promises that I can stand on.  Oh how sweet the promises of God to those who follow Him!

Joshua 6 talks about the fall of Jericho.  Lately, I feel like I am marching around and around the walls, just waiting for them to fall down.  God, why are you having me do this?  Do you know how crazy I look to people who don't get it?  As God is stripping away everything that gives me any control, or anything that seems to make sense, I am choosing to keep marching around those walls in faith.  I am choosing not to panic and be thankful that God is setting things up so that He gets ALL the credit.  I, me, Kari, I have done nothing but rested in the faith that is supplied by Him.  In the big war and all of the "little" battles along the way I can give God praise that He is removing any aspect that would steal any of His glory and take away from associating the power to anyone or anything but Him.  It was hard to get to that point - but I think I'm finally getting there.  Total and complete surrender to God's way & plan.  Where all my trust is in Him.  In a way, all of my eggs are in His basket, I'm not holding any out "just in case".  Those walls coming down - it will be ALL God.

That's great, but now what do I do?  I go to 2 Chronicles 20 (I know! Chronicles!?  I was really struggling one night & my nightly reading had me in Chronicles and I was like, "really, God?  How is Chronicles going to help me tonight?"  But be faithful in all you do - God meets you there!)  It talks about Jehoshaphat's battle.  Verse 15 & 17 jumped off the page at me "Do not be afraid & do not be dismayed at this great horde, fort he battle is not your but God's." "You will not need to fight in this battle.  Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf.  O Judah & Jerusalem, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you."  That reinforces everything I've already typed.  So what do I DO?  The answer is in verse 21... "And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD FOR HIS STEADFAST LOVE ENDURES FOREVER" (emphasis added by me).

Without God, I would not be able to choose faith,.   On my own, I would choose panic (it would be masked as moving on, sticking it to him, finding someone new, accepting the world's ways, etc)  But because God is who He is I can choose faith in who He is.  I can choose to stand firm and praise Him.  Because of His work in changing who I am , I can give thanks for His steadfast love endures forever.  The walls He wants to bring down, whenever and however He wants to - I can be confident He will do exactly what He planned before the world was even created.  And that my friends, gives the ultimate peace.