KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON GOD — HERE’S WHY!
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit ( Romans 15:13).
Floods. Tornadoes. Wildfires. Frightening social clashes. Heartbroken friends with dying mothers—some loving, some raging. And I’ll add my own little trauma of a fractured wrist leaving me to dress, drive, and dry my hair with one hand!From minor inconvenience to major and long lasting trauma, we each have a reason to stay focused on God. Life simply requires it!
Some of you have heard me speak on Wisdom for Today’s Woman—Lessons from Esther. You might even have done my Bible Study on this story. Esther’s life was not easy but it is full of lessons on how to face tough times.
Don’t focus on how unfair life is. Don’t sink into bitterness, anger, or self-pity. Why? Because: The more you focus on the negative and question God’s love or power, the more angry, miserable, and depressed you’ll become.
What can you do?
Look at what you’re thinking and telling yourself. Make a choice to stop focusing on your hurt, pain, or anger and start rehearsing and focusing on God’s character and promises. Isaiah 40:10: So do not fear, for I am with you…
Ask for His help. Psalm 34:6: This poor man called and the Lord heard him…
Turn toward God. Isaiah 54:10 My unfailing love for you will not be shaken…
Trust His Love. Eph. 3:16: He will strengthen you with power through His Spirit.
Esther was among strangers. She had no control over her life—but she did have the power to make key choices every day.
What can you do?
Choose your attitude. 3:9, 15, 17 says Esther pleased everyone around her and won their favor.
Accept your changed circumstances. Esther rejected lashing out and blaming others.
Refuse to get trapped in hopelessness. Esther wouldn’t let what happened ruin the rest of her life.
Cooperate with what God allows, watching for His purposes. Esther became queen. But more importantly, God had His woman in the right place for the situation He knew would come (Esther 4-6).
God has His purposes for you, my friends. As He does for me. He leads us through smooth and rough times in our lives, but it is always with the development of our faith in mind. What God allows makes us into women we could never be without some of the trials and struggles in your life. My prayer is that you will come to know this truth and the One who leads you with love.
Qu: Have you experienced God’s love in your storm? I’d love to hear.
Many blessings, Poppy
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