Just Gotta Have Faith

I am a worrier, a planner, and a control-freak. And as much as I hate to admit it, those personality traits don't tend to fit the "faith-filled Christian" bill the way I'd like them to. 

My impatience with certain things has gotten a little out-of-control lately, so I thought perhaps putting this "out there" in my little blogworld will help me to hold myself accountable ... and trust in what I know to be true ... that God's timing and plan for my life is PERFECT.

A few verses that I've been focussing on...

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
 ~Ecclesiastes 3:11

...We cannot fathom what God has done. I love this. It blows my mind just to think about it. And if the Bible says that I can't fathom all that He has done, who am I to question that He has every detail of my life under control?

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

...I probably recite this verse in my head more than any other, and yet, how quickly and easily I forget to apply it to my life! Key words: TRUST and ACKNOWLEDGE. ...Someone pound that into my brain, please...?

And last but not least, the story of Elijah and the widow.
I have heard this lesson in Sunday school growing up, but it wasn't until now that I thought of that story in a different, more meaningful way.

In the story, God extended the widow's flour and oil each day so that there was just enough for one more meal (for the widow, her son, and Elijah). How difficult would that be to go through every day - not knowing if God would provide one more meal - over and over again? Why didn't God just give the widow sacks of flour and gallons of oil, for crying out loud!? (If I were the widow, that is what I would have been saying!)

In all seriousness though ... I think the answer lies in the fact that tough times, trying times, challenging times - make us more dependent on God. Without the hard times in our lives, we may never feel the need for God. (Sad, but true.) So perhaps this lesson in patience is much more than that ... it is a reminder that God is in control ... and that His grace is sufficient. 

God DID provide the flour and the oil for the widow, every day ... just in time. 

His blessings may not always come when or how we asked for them to come - but they will come. 

Just gotta have FAITH.