“Life is a trip!” If you’re like me, you’ve heard many people make this statement, and if we’re honest, we’d have to agree that, yes, indeed it is. To say that life is unpredictable is an understatement. One minute you may be at the pinnacle of joy and comfort, but the very next moment can bring uncertainty or struggle, catching you off guard. Life can be a rollercoaster ride, and sometimes we often find ourselves overwhelmed and getting lost in the noise of our thoughts and emotions. We’re wondering what the right choice is or how to handle the fiery darts that are hurled our way. Rest assured, God’s Word is clear. In Isaiah 43:1-3 (NLT), God says: “O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
This passage is so powerful. God is reminding us that no matter how hard or overwhelming life can feel, He is always there. He is with us through every trial, through every deep water, and through every fiery moment. God’s presence is unwavering, and His protection is guaranteed. It’s comforting to know that we don’t face challenges alone, because God walks with us every step of the way. But when we’re in the struggle, thoughts of faith are not always on our minds. We may be consumed with questions—why is this happening, why does it seem never-ending? These doubts can cloud our thoughts, allowing worry, fear, and sadness to take hold.
Heart Conditioning
When we surrender our lives to the Lord Jesus, we are forever changed. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and he then leads, guides, and directs us through every step of our lives. It’s important we understand that the Spirit isn’t wasting his time with us—he is never idle. He’s actively guiding us along the path of God’s purpose. We can be absolutely certain that we have a destiny in Christ, and it will take our entire lives to fully realize. While we often assume that we know where God is leading us, the twists and turns of life remind us that we cannot navigate this journey on our own. However, one thing we can be sure of is God’s plan for our hearts. He longs for each of His children to possess the heart of Christ, as it says in Philippians 2:5 (NLT), “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
Our Heavenly Father does not cause the situations that bring us pain and confusion, but through them, we are given the opportunity to seek Him in a deeper way. Most importantly, our pain expands our capacity to love more profoundly. Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) reminds us, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” If we allow ourselves to use the space that life’s challenges create, we can cultivate greater intimacy in our relationship with Heavenly Father, and our hearts can be nurtured with increased compassion and patience. These are the lessons of our pain, and they build the spiritual strength necessary to carry us into the future.
Let Him Lead
Our Heavenly Father is all-knowing and all-powerful. He knows how to deliver us from any and all evil. The key is not just knowing that God is with us, but also making sure we are listening to Him. His voice is guiding us, but are we paying attention to it? In the middle of life’s storms, it’s easy to forget to stop, listen, and lean into His direction.
In today’s world, everything feels rushed, and sometimes it seems like we must make decisions quickly, especially when it comes to relationships or life choices. We can’t allow pressures and expectations to get ahead of the Holy Spirit’s leadership. Anything truly worthwhile—true love, peace, success, and fulfillment—takes time and careful listening to the Lord. We can’t rush into decisions if we want them to be aligned with God’s Will and purpose for our lives. It’s tempting to want to rush into a relationship because we long for connection, affection, or love, but rushing can often lead us down the wrong path. God, however, knows exactly who and what is right for you, and He knows the perfect timing for everything.
God doesn’t want us to rush ahead or try to solve everything on our own. He is asking us to trust Him fully and embrace the incredible future He has prepared for us in Christ. This means letting go of past wounds, regrets, and even past relationships that may weigh us down. Our experiences have shaped us, but they do not define who we are or who we are becoming in Christ. God’s plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could ever envision on our own. When we listen—truly listen to His Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit—He will lead us into a destiny that exceeds anything we could try to create.
In Isaiah 55:8-9 (NLT), God tells us, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts higher than your thoughts.” Even though our circumstances may be uncomfortable, and we’re feeling lost and confused, God has all the answers. Everything will become clear to us as we walk with Him, being patient, listening for His guidance, and trusting His process. In the end, we can rest assured that God’s perfect plan will unfold in His perfect timing, and His wisdom will lead us to a place of peace, understanding, and fulfillment. ■
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Listen to the Lord” written by Kim Times, edited by Rev. Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.