For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. - Psalm 33:4 (NLT)
You may have been laid off, suddenly facing unforeseen financial difficulties. Job loss can seem catastrophic, and you may feel unprepared to take on what's ahead. When circumstances are out of our control, we get to choose how we will react. You can "Go into a cave and hide," sinking deep into depression, or we can look to Jesus, face reality, and choose to move forward.
For regaining your focus, it's vital to establish your faith as primary importance. We do this practically by "Fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:2) and remembering His promises.
Remember these four truths:
- Jesus understands the situation completely.
Proverbs 3:5 -Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
Jesus is trustworthy and dependable (Revelation 21:5) and isn't capable of failure! Events beyond our control sometimes tempt us to demand an explanation from God. God isn't on trial, and if he was, he'd be found to be completely perfect! Trusting Him establishes our lives, forming long-term stability! - Jesus promised peace as you walk through the trouble.
John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
Hard times remind us that true peace can only be found in Jesus. Take the time to meditate on the promise in John 16:33, asking the Holy Spirit to fill you with the evidence of this peace. He has overcome, and Christ in you can bring you through! When things begin to look up (and they will), don't forget God's faithfulness! - Jesus will never abandon you.
Hebrews 13:5 Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.
You will not be left to figure this out by yourself, as Jesus is committed to you. Be secure and convinced that nothing can ever separate you from His love, even losing your income (Romans 8:39)! It's easy to freak out, but instead, be confident in His ability to provide! - Jesus is transforming you through this situation.
James 1:2-4 ...when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
It's hard to consider it an opportunity to when we are going through it, but God is continuously working to mature and develop us through difficult situations like this! Choosing to trust He is working in you while you are facing this stressful situation will start a new fire in your faith! The alternative is to freeze up and grow cold in your heart – This never leads to anything productive in our lives! Trust grows us up into all God designed us to become!
Soak and Reflect:
"Lord Jesus, I don't feel prepared for what's ahead, but I trust you are transforming me! I lean on your understanding. I'm asking for your peace as I rest in this truth; "Never will you fail me; never will you abandon me"! In Jesus' name, Amen".
