It takes a lot of trust and bold faith to stay steady in this broken world we live in today. I went to a worship night last yesterday, that Christian artist Lauren Daigle put on, and it was so beautiful. She put it on in in honor of the school shooting here in Nashville yesterday and she just wanted to bring the community together. Hundreds of believers came together in the city and prayed for these families who lost a loved one, the Covenant school, Nashville, the United States, and this dark world. God’s presence covered the room as there was a peace like no other surrounding the room and the Holy Spirit was present and touching many there. I had some thoughts during the worship and while some guests came to speak on the subject of God and this gruesome situation that went down yesterday. We do have a hope, love, constant, and a Living Word that is available to us today. Jesus, friends, He is where we lean and who we put our trust in throughout every good and bad situation. We can ask the question “why do bad things happen to good people?” It is not because God lets it happen. The world comes outside of what God’s way is. But I do know where there is suffering there is glory. We can trust the One who came. He is greater than any joy this world has to offer, greater than any storm our souls will ever have to weather. The same God who is over the storms, who created the hills and valleys, comes down to be our helper. The same God who spoke the mountains into existence, sent His own son to take our place on the cross. And that same God will come again one day to make all things right.
The Bible tells and shows us that faith in Christ is a calling out of our comfort zone. Jesus never said it would be easy. In fact, He said you will experience trials and tribulations. James tells us to expect trials and rejoice in them (James 1:2). To have bold faith and believe takes action though. You work at it. In our story, there is someone on the hill with His hands in the air. But unlike Moses, we are confident that the one on the hill-our Advocate-does not grow tired and weary. Instead, Jesus is continually at the throne of the Father interceding on our behalf, praying for us as we pray for strength in the battle. His hands never go down. He is a God full of goodness and nothing less.
Here are 5 ways you can trust Jesus in the state this world is in today:
- Pray Honestly. God already knows how you really feel, and what you really think (Hebrews 4:12-13). He knows your circumstances and how they’re affecting you (Psalm 139:2). So be honest with Him! Being honest with God through prayer is an exercise in trust.
- Find people who love Him. During times of brokenness, the people you turn to and surround yourself with have an immense influence on how you handle that crisis. The words of comfort they offer and the advice they give based on their own experiences and wisdom can directly impact the actions you take and the beliefs that take hold during this time.
- Be vulnerable. If no one knows what you’re going through, they can’t help you. Being vulnerable is hard, and it requires humility, but it’s important for Christians to share life together so that we can lift each other up. In fact, Paul says that bearing each other’s burdens is how we “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), which is to love one another (John 13:34-35).
- Turn to the Word. In our suffering, we long to hear God’s voice. But whatever you are going through, God does have something to say to you in His Word. In our darkest moments, the Bible can be a powerful source of comfort, peace, wisdom, and encouragement, both because of the words they speak to us and Who they come from.
- Remember the times He has been faithful. As you endure various trials throughout your life, you’ll accumulate moments where you can confidently say Jesus was there for you and demonstrated His faithfulness. When you’re in the throes of suffering and despair, reflecting on these past experiences can encourage you to keep trusting Him
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I’m not on social media, so if it wasn’t for Hannah’s email on Monday, I wouldn’t have learned about this tragedy in Nashville as quickly as I did.
“Where there is suffering there is glory.” Well said, H 🙏🏼. “God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.”
Romans 5:20 NLT
My thoughts and prayers from Los Angeles, for the families involved and the city of Nashville as a whole. We must stand together, as a people of God, united, as we face this spiritual opposition and together overcome this evil by doing good.