“I’m sharing this so that I can look back in the months and years to come and be reminded of how God worked in my life. I’m also sharing this to let you know that in spite of the pretty pictures I post, my life is far from perfect. If you feel trapped or overwhelmed today, know you are not alone. God is at work all around us, and He invites us to join Him in His work! Amen!”
I posted those words on Instagram just over five years ago, along with an image from Proverbs 31 Ministries that said “God can turn our situational prisons into supernatural positions.”
I posted that during a season of life that contained the hardest things I’ve ever experienced. When I think about how I felt during that season, the main emotion I recall experiencing was fear. There were times I couldn’t even stand on my own two feet as my knees literally buckled underneath me.
The other constant in this season was the firm and unwavering comfort of God’s Word. When I didn’t know what was happening or how to respond, God’s Word was there with direction, comfort, and assurance.
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
I heard someone say this recently in a sermon: “When you are faced with things you don’t understand, leave those things to the side and nail down what you do know.”
Stop for a minute and think about the things you know to be true about God. You could even write out a list.
God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God sees my pain. God is in control. God is at work in my situation.
Paul and I find ourselves in a new season of life as we navigate through the adoption process. Presently this season (and even this week) brings us periods of uncertainty as we make decisions and as we wait for decisions to be made.
Adoption isn’t final until the judge bangs the gavel on adoption day. Until then, there can always be a change or a surprise along the way. Knowing we have lots more of these uncertain days ahead, I wrote out some things I know about God and placed them as reminders around the house.
- Even if _________, that’s alright. God is to be trusted.
- God is sovereign over _________.
- God is big enough.
- God writes the best stories, so entrust yourself to him. (A quote from Jamie Finn)
That fear I mentioned at the beginning of the post – it’s easy to let that creep into my thinking. “What if I didn’t say enough about ____ during that adoption interview? What if I filled out that paperwork too quickly and misinterpreted a question? What if that case worker doesn’t like us?”
That’s when I stop and say out loud: “God is sovereign over paperwork.” “God is sovereign over case workers.”
The truth of God’s character, nailed down as a firm belief in my heart, brings such comfort in those moments.
“When you are faced with things you don’t understand, leave those things to the side and nail down what you do know.”
You cannot trust a God you don’t know. That’s why it’s so important to get in his word every day. Read the Bible and look for his character. It’s on every page.
Just as I did five years ago, I’m sharing this so that I can look back and see how God worked in my heart. It is a precious experience.
What truths about God can you nail down in your heart? I would love to hear the ones that are precious to you!
Read More:
- How To Make God’s Word Your Counselor
- Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?
- 3 Truths About God That Bring Comfort
Come Home For Comfort 
God led me to 1 Kings 19 the other day. And afterwards I felt so at peace over my situation. I got up today and feel the same worries and fears creeping in. Today the Lord led me to 1 Kings 17. And the phrase that keeps popping up is “the word of the Lord came to Elijah.” So I know not to be discouraged because he will tell me, in his word, what to do. That is why I feel it is so important to stay in his word. The Bible says the Word of the Lord is “alive and active.” And I believe it! Still praying for you on this journey.
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Yes! I love that, Samantha. He has given us His Word AND the Holy Spirit to guide us into truth. I’m so thankful! Thank you for praying with us. ❤
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About six years ago, my life was shattered in various ways, so I understand what you’re describing. God has been so kind and gracious through it all. I’ve had to lean on truth like what you describe, and I came to five truths that I repeat over and over and now believe with all of my heart. I call them my five pillars – God is always good. He does not make any mistakes. He has never left me. He does not change. Jesus loves me.
I have prayed these back to God countless times and go back to them when I’m facing confusion. These are things I know for sure.
Recently, God has continued to reinforce His sovereignty as I’ve wondered why other things have happened or why they’ve happened in a certain way. Over and over God reminds me that even in my confusion, He is in control, and He is on the throne. I’ve struggled with that at times because I’ve honestly been tempted to blame people rather than believe that God allowed something to happen that has hurt so deeply. But the sovereign God of the universe has never had an “oops” moment where something got by Him. I must rest in His goodness and remember that He can never go against His character. When my flesh is crying out, I have to remember that “God allowed this” and hardship in my life is actually a gift from Him. I’m not sure the purpose in it all for my life, but I’ve come to know Christ in a deeper way which was my desire. Philippians 3:8 – Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord . . . .
I am praying for you and Paul as you work through the adoption details. I am confident God will carry you through.
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This is so good, Karen! Thank you for sharing this rich wisdom and knowledge of God that you’ve gained through the hard things in your life. That intimate knowledge of him that we only gain in those times is so precious. Thank you for praying with us! Hugs! ❤
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I remember how hyper aware I was of every detail in our foster/adoption as if it was all up to me to make it happen. What a burden I put on myself! Then one day I just woke up with a total peace and realized that I could rest and be myself on the paperwork and in the interviews because God already had it worked out. Turns out that while we were searching in one direction, He had one particular child picked out for us in another direction that we didn’t even know about. When our little guy appeared into our life, we had not even seen that unique situation coming! It was NOT at all the scenario we were expecting! And it was so much better than what I was trying to force. Prayers for you and Paul, Whitney!! 🙏🏻🥰
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Thank you so much for sharing that, Alinda! That’s exactly the journey we’ve been on – learning with each form and with each interview, that resting in God’s sovereignty is always better. ❤
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Your post is very encouraging and so true. Habakkuk 3:17-19 are the Scripture verses that encouraged my heart after my first miscarriage (to me the no herd in the stalls were like no child in our home) — led me to God’s goodness and strength in a time that was so very hard. Like you shared, we can trust and worship Him even in the hard times. Hope it blesses you.
Habakkuk 3:17–19 (ESV): 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
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Amen, Carrie. Thank you for sharing that! Even though ______, God is our joy, strength and salvation. ❤
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“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:9
Even when things don’t go as I’ve planned, I can know that God’s ways are better.
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I’ve needed this reminder recently, too. My own plans and desires let me down, but I know I need to pray for God’s will! And ask for forgiveness.
God forgives! That’d be on my “nail it” list.
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Amen! I am so glad God forgives. ❤
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Yes, amen! As a planner, that is a comforting truth to me too. ❤
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