Standing on God’s Promises When Circumstances Worsen

I stared out at the vast ocean and breathed in deep the warm salty air. I felt my mind slowly reconnecting with my body and realized, I hadn’t been truly present in a long while. It took feeling my feet in the sand, the warm sun against my face, and the sound of nothing but the gentle waves lapping to realize that survival mode was the only mode I knew how to live in anymore. It had become too easy to just keep moving, without being fully present.

But as I closed my eyes and breathed deep, tears quickly surfaced. I had been running from doubts and questions, feelings of hurt and anger, and spiritual confusion on a deeper level than ever before. This season has been marked by prayers being met with only a worsening of circumstances. The greater the plea, the worse the circumstances became. And hurt and confusion quickly followed. But as I looked out at these waters, a thought rushed to the forefront. My sorrows and circumstances have boundaries, just as these waves. “This far they will come, and no further,” says the Lord.

I may not understand God’s silence, his ways, or his purposes, but I do know if he can put boundaries to these waves, he can to my circumstances as well. And one thing he asks of me – faith in who he says he is, not in what I can see.

Like Joseph locked in an Egyptian prison, confused how God’s promises had led him there, John Bloom writes from Joseph’s perspective, “I have no idea what my being in a prison has to do with your purposes. But I will keep honoring you where you have placed me. Bring your word to pass. I am yours. Use me!’ Sometimes, faithfulness to God sets us on a course where circumstances get worse, not better. Faith in God’s future grace for us is what sustains us in those desperate moments.” (Not by Sight)

My life – your life – will contain countless mysteries. But our job isn’t to understand God’s ways, it’s to trust them. What other firm foundation can we stand upon other than God’s past faithfulness, and promised present and future faithfulness?

Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good…

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

1 Peter 4:19, Deuteronomy 7:9

Our life may seem as rogue as the ocean waves, but He has set the boundaries. And they can go no further. Our job is to simply trust the One who rules the waves and promises to bring his Word to pass.

Until then, we wait in faith.

Home is around the corner,

Sarah Walton

To read more encouragement on hope in your suffering, pick up a copy of Hope When It Hurts (30 short biblical reflections for hope in your suffering), Tears and Tossings (shorts evangelistic resource), or Together Through the Storms (for married couples). If you’re a mom (or know a mom), you can now order Sarah and Linda’s (mother/daughter) book, He Gives More Grace: 30 Hope-filled Reflections for the Ups and Downs of Motherhood Through the Years on Amazon or The Good Book Company. And you can find amazing bonuses HERE!