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in Encouragement

He's still good

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Why do we pray? Maybe it’s a circumstance we want changed or a blessing over someone. Maybe it’s just to talk to God and thank Him for all He has done. One of the biggest things I’ve realized this year is how powerful and mighty our God is and how He is always there listening to our prayers. So what happens when we pray for someone to get healed, or a situation to change, and nothing happens? Where is our faith then? Is it thrown away or is it still steadfast in the Lord? 
 
I wanted to share something so close to my heart that I have learned. Even if that breakup happens or that close family member passes away or those bills become too high to pay, He’s still good. Even when the world seems to crumble around us and we don’t know which way to go, He’s still good. Often we thank God when circumstances go our way and we get what we pray for--what we ask for. Let us remember to also praise Him when things don’t go our way and when we don’t receive what we prayed for. It’s hard, I know. I am still working out the kinks and am in no way a pro. 
 
Our God is so amazing and His plan is not always equivalent to ours. He always sees the bigger picture, whereas we just see what’s in front of us. I moved a lot as a child and in my teens. I’ve lived in a few different states and each time we moved, I was sad. I didn’t understand that God knew what He was doing because all I felt was pain from leaving the past place behind. Looking back, I am able to see some of the purpose that I was never able to identify before. One of the places I left behind provided lots of temptation to participate in activities against my morals. Although I never did participate in those activities, I know for a fact that if I would have stayed any longer, I would have fallen into those temptations. I now see that God carried me away from that before any damage was done.
 
There may be times when we never see why God did what He did or why He allowed certain things to happen. We may struggle in life and lose heart. I just want to encourage and remind all of us that God is good in every circumstance. Even when we struggle, He is there standing with us, encouraging us, and carrying us. 
 
Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
Although our circumstances may not be good, He still is. “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting,” Psalm 100: 4-5
Posted by Anna Reagan with
in Encouragement

Dancing in the Rain

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Looking back at the year we had, how well would you say you handled the change and the uncertainty that struck our nation? I can say with confidence that I did not take it well. I was angry, sad, and frustrated with how my plans disappeared, and life changed within just a few weeks.

 Over a year later, how would you say you feel now? I still can’t say I‘m elated that my mission trip to Nicaragua was canceled or ecstatic that I was sent home from college; however, I can say that amid the difficulty, the Lord continued to fill me with joy.

Walking through the chaos that broke out, I was confused (as most were), and I didn’t know what was to come. Now that I look back, I have a new perspective. At first, I was bitter, now I am thankful. I was hurt, now I am healed. I was sad and lonely, now I am joyous and filled with peace. I had to learn that it isn’t about changing the circumstances (especially those out of our control); it is simply about learning to dance in the rain. 

It is inevitable that circumstances will arise in our lifetimes that we do not like and cannot change. We can either choose to be upset about it, or we can learn to find beauty in it. It may rain outside when we were planning on sunshine, but in the end, the attitudes we have about it are up to us. We could stay inside all day, staring out the window, wishing we could be outside, or we could get up, get out, and go dance in the rain. 

Psalm 16:11 says, “You (God) make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

In His presence, there is fullness of joy. He renews us and fills us with peace as we battle through the difficulties life throws at us. He is the beauty throughout our hard days. He is the reason we dance and sing.

Our joy should not be dependent on the condition of the world or the events happening around us. Our joy comes from the Lord and can be found when we trust in Him and live by His word. He sees what we cannot, and He knows what is to come before we ever walk through it. 

No matter the sunshine or the rain, I want to encourage you to find joy throughout the day. Some days are especially hard, and everything seems to go wrong. Even then, it is important to find the beauty and the light in each day. We have to hold onto the Lord’s word and His goodness through the joy and the pain. As Nahum 1:7 says, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows who takes refuge in Him.”

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