I was talking to someone the other day about how I knew God is a God of breakthrough. She asked, “how can we know He will come through?”
I’ve struggled with this too.
Sometimes we have to shift our perspective. Our perspective tends to be:
What is the outcome going to be?
When will this trial end?
When will I see a breakthrough?
But it is helpful to shift our perspective instead to:
What is God doing right now?
What has He done before?
How am I seeing Him move today?
I started writing down in my Growth Roots journal every time I see God at work in my life. When I feel anxious or don’t believe He’ll come through, I go back and read the list, or sometimes I’ll make a list again.
Look back at your journey with God - what has He done? Did He give you that child you prayed for endlessly? Did He bring light to your depression? Did He provide an escape to a situation that you thought was inescapable? Did He answer your sorrow with joy? Did He provide relief to your stress? Did He lead you safely through your wilderness season? Did He restore your marriage?
What about the small moments? Did He give you patience with your child when you were exhausted? Did He give you rest when you longed for it? Did He have that friend call at just the right time? Did the message at church speak so specifically to you and your life?
When thinking of God’s faithfulness, I am always reminded of that Elevation Worship song, “Do It Again”.
Your promise still stands
Great is Your faithfulness, faithfulness
I'm still in Your hands
This is my confidence, You never failed me yet
I've seen You move, come move the mountains
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
You made a way, where there was no way
And I believe, I'll see You do it again
I was previously in an abusive marriage, and God rescued me from that situation. He provided a way for my children and I to leave and be safe. For me, that is the big moment I always remember when I am facing anxiety about a new situation. When I need a shift in my perspective, I remember what He did for me. I saw Him move mountains, I saw Him rescue me when I was trapped, I saw Him make a way when I thought there was no way, so I will continue to believe and trust that He will do it again.
Every time I read that “God’s Faithfulness” list, I realize God has worked in my life in so many big and small ways. Sometimes it just takes us opening our eyes and meditating on His works.
I am praying for a better perspective for us. God, shift our perspective from focusing on the outcome, to remembering what You’ve done. Help us to recall your wondrous works so we can praise you and continue walking with you through this current season.
Guest post by: Lindsey Griswold