What I Know for Sure and Why it Makes All the Difference

 

Somehow my feet didn’t get the message. I was sure they would make it safely to the other side, but they had other ideas.

As I slipped between the boulders, I wondered how something I was so sure about could cause me so much pain.

Has that ever happened to you? You are sure things are going to work out just as you envision, doubts don’t even cross your mind, but then they don’t. The shock of the fall leaves you reeling in sudden, searing pain.  So unexpected, unwelcomed, and inconvenient.

What do you do then? How do you recover? How do you trust your instincts moving forward?

It has only been a few weeks since I fractured my leg while hiking, and I’m still adjusting to the pain, inconvenience, and complications of living with a broken leg. Yet, I’m amazed at how God prepared me for this time and comforts me with His promises.

In the weeks before the accident, Psalm 23:6 kept stepping steadfastly through my mind. I couldn’t shake it and as I pondered what it meant I thought of all the things we aren’t sure of. Especially in 2020.

In our small community, as plans proceed to reopen our borders in December, many are anxious about what this could mean for our safety. Still, as a country where tourism plays a major role, others are equally worried about the sustainability of our economy if we don’t open on time. Then there are the concerns about schools reopening, jobs in jeopardy, families struggling, travel restrictions, and what feels like a never-ending hurricane season breathing down our backs. The list seems endless.

My US friends have their share of worries, many waiting to know for sure the outcome of the presidential election and what this could mean for them. In just a few minutes each of us can come up with our list of things we just aren’t sure about, both on a national and personal level, things we wished we knew for sure.

Not knowing always seems to add to the stress we feel. At times like these, we wish we could see into the future and know for sure which is the best path to take.

But, as God whispered in my ears a few weeks ago and reminds me even now, as His child, I can be sure that only goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.

Now here is the real challenge—goodness doesn’t always feel good. In fact, sometimes, it feels downright bad. And when that happens, we may struggle to accept God’s promise that ‘for those who love God, all things work together for good’. (Romans 8:28)

Yet, we can take God at His word and trust His multi-layered goodness. What does not feel good to us may be producing spiritual growth that might not be possible otherwise. How many times has God in His graciousness allowed us a glimpse back into the good that came out of a ‘bad’ situation? While we may not have a full vision here on earth, we have seen the evidence of God’s goodness in our lives and we can trust that He really knows what is best.

Then there’s the mercy. The mercy that follows me, forgives me constantly, and accepts me continually. No matter how many times I mess up, being quick to judge another who shares a different view to me, allowing my selfish pride to dictate my time, no matter how my sin shows its ugly face, when I turn to God, mercy comes running.

Isn’t that absolutely amazing?

So, yes there are many things I’m not sure about, and the pain of landing badly on the wrong side of sure is never welcomed, but this one thing I know—‘Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.’ It’s a promise I take with me on days when I’m searching for answers, knocked dizzy by the shock of another fall, and desperately trying to find a reason for the pain. It’s a promise that assures me, even when I don’t understand, that it’s going to be okay, that I need not fear because my Father is always with me.

When I know this for sure, I can persevere through trials, endure through pain, and embrace God’s good plan for my life. I can live like I’m sure despite my feelings. It makes all the difference.

What about you?

What are you really sure about? Has 2020 exposed your fears and insecurities? Are you finding comfort in God’s promises? Why not spend some time pouring over Psalm 23 and linger long on verse six? Let it seep into your soul until you’re sure, really sure of God’s pursuing love.

Grace and peace to you,

Carlie

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What I Know for Sure and Why it Makes All the Difference