“I am never alone. He sees me and my circumstances don’t surprise Him.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today –July 11, 2023
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
Most of the time, I write from lessons I have learned in the past. Meaning, I write looking in the rearview mirror after obstacles have been overcome, lessons have been learned and trials make sense looking back.
For this devotional, I’m writing while I’m still in the midst of a trial when things don’t make sense, and I’m still swirling in the midst of the storm.
A few months ago, I hit my arm on the towel rack in the bathroom which led to several doctors saying I had fractured my elbow—and one who said (after a follow-up MRI) that he thought I had cancer in my bone.
I was alone without my husband at the clinic when the doctor spoke this devastating news. I couldn’t believe my ears. My head was spinning when I walked out of the clinic.
As I drove home, I tried to steady myself in God’s truth, “Go to what you know, Shana.”
In that moment, the “relational equity” I have developed with the Lord from walking through trials with Him for over 30 years came rescuing my heart from overwhelming fear.
Several thoughts passed through my mind:
I am never alone. He sees me and my circumstances don’t surprise Him.
I am deeply loved by the Lord.
He is working all things for my good.
He is the Great Physician. No matter what He can heal me.
This world is not my home.
Over the next few weeks—and even into the present day—I am pressing into Christ and focusing my eyes on truth rather than on the problem. It hasn’t been easy at all. I have vacillated between tear-filled nights and feeling confident in God’s sovereignty and love for me. One minute I’ve been fine; the next I’ve felt desperate and afraid. But I keep trying to come back to Jesus and His love.
Around the time this trial started, my husband purchased a small piece of artwork from Amazon. In it, Daniel is in the lion’s den. Lions surround him but he has his back turned to them. Rather than face them, he is looking up at a light that is streaming on his face from heaven. His focus is on the Father rather than on the problematic lions. In this, he is strengthened.
This is one of the first lessons I have been learning during this struggle: Go to what you know. When you go to what you know (truth) you keep the lions at bay and turn your face toward your good, good Jesus. In this, our minds are protected. This is one reason it’s so important to learn truth, so we are ready for the battle when trouble comes.
I still don’t have answers about a potential cancer diagnosis. My husband and I will know more next week. But in between now and then, I am, moment-by-moment, trying to focus on truth, knowing that Jesus is my Healer. It’s not easy, but Truth has protected my heart and mind from fear over and over.
I’ll keep you posted on what happens. In the meantime, are you going through a trial filled with unknowns? Are the lions terrifying?
Turn your face up to heaven. Call out to Jesus and go to what you know. Amen and amen.
“Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place” (Ephesians 6:14).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to always look to you, and to seek your face for truth when I am going through trials. Always help me to remember that when I focus on you rather than the lions in my life, I will experience your peace. Amen.
Application
Look up scriptures that will bolster your faith and give you courage.
Related Reading
James 1:12; 1 Peter 5:10; John 16:33
Worship Resource
Kristene DiMarco: Take Courage
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
