Dictionary definition of trust noun – firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. It is easy to talk about trusting God but putting trust in to practice in the middle of adversity is another challenge. I have shared about my hubby’s fall on August 13, 2019, that was caused by a hip replacement from 2007 coming loose. He shattered the left femur bone by falling on the floor.
On August 19, he had serious (double) surgery to reinforce the bone and put in a new hip replacement. He was sent to a rehab facility on August 22. On September 3, in therapy, his hip replacement was knocked out. We were finally able to get an x-ray to verify it 24 hours later and was immediately sent back to the hospital on September 4th. ER was able to pop it back in the socket. Hubby required some wound care in the hospital.
On www.carolclemans.org, I have posted articles about unexpected life events. Going through these unexpected challenges are tough. It is tough on the injured and tough on the caretaker. Hubby also has the challenge of being almost deaf since he was 11 years old with a high fever causing nerve deafness. (He has the best hearing aids. A hearing implant was approved but because of blood thinner issues, he decided at 82 that he did not want to go through all the possible complications.)
(Special note: Yesterday, I did research online for ways for the deaf to be able to read what was spoken. There was a story about a son whose father was going deaf. The son created an app for iTunes called ‘My Ear’ – I downloaded it for $9.99. I talk to my iPhone, it prints out my words on the screen like closed caption – but better quality! It is a black screen with white lettering – I was able to enlarge the print for easier reading. I’m training my husband to look at the screen when I talk and not at me. It is amazing! I pray this blesses others who are dealing with deafness.)
Back to trusting God! I am the ‘counselor’ and I counsel myself in the Lord. When we know the truth, the truth will make us free. Knowing something is gaining knowledge. Next step is applying that truth in our life’s circumstances. This is where the devil in his deviousness attacks our minds with toxic thoughts about our circumstances. It happens to everyone.
Romans 12: 1&2 tells us we are transformed by renewing our mind. This is where we have to be diligent about our thoughts. If we have negative thoughts, they are not from God. It is so important for all of us to be feeders of the Word of God daily. God’s Word is what builds faith. No matter how long we have been filled with His Spirit (64 years for my hubby and me) we need to feed on the Word of God daily.
When unexpected adversity happens or dealing with the pain of the past, we must replace the devil’s toxic lies with God’s truth. In my counseling, I’m always saying, “What is God’s truth about this?”
God is love. God’s love is unconditional. Every human is created by God. All of us are created in God’s image and after His likeness. He proved His love for us by dying on a cross to pay the penalty of sin for us. We are all born sinners because Adam and Eve chose to disobey God’s one ‘do not’ command.
God’s truth: We are living in Satan’s territory. Because of the original sin, we are not protected against evil acts, accidents, illnesses, etc. God’s death on the cross gives us the choice of accepting His great love and experiencing transforming salvation (Acts 2). Salvation gives us hope beyond this life. Jesus told us that in this world we would have tribulation/trouble. He told us to be of good cheer because He has overcome the world. Remember, Jesus had to go through the death of the cross before He could rise from the dead!
God’s truth: God promised He would never leave us or forsake us. God is the God of all comfort. These promises are based on truth. They are not based on how we feel. During this over month-long trauma with my hubby, I have felt very alone at times especially driving home alone at night on the freeways after an exhausting day being my hubby’s health care advocate. But God is with me! I talk to Him out loud when I’m alone.
God’s truth: God is a present help in the time of trouble. Praising God for answered prayer, hubby was approved and transported to another rehab facility that is owned/operated by Spirit-filled people on Friday, September 13, one month after his initial fall. We could not see it, but God was working out the details.
God’s truth: God knows the details of our lives from the day we are born until our death day or His coming (PSM 139). In our humanness, it is difficult to live in today only. I want answers for our tomorrows regarding healing therapy process for hubby, regarding finances (my nationwide counseling ministry has come to a screeching halt), my exhaustion daily when I feel physically weak. God gives just enough strength to get through the next day.
God’s truth: God’s grace is sufficient for today! God gave the children of Israel manna for just one day at a time. If they took more than they needed, it would rot. We do have our needs met for this day. I must rejoice in this day! God promised to supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory! Question: Will we trust Him just for today knowing He is in control of our tomorrow?
Again, let’s look at the dictionary definition of trust noun – “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.” I want to emphasize the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength in someone! For we who have an intimate relationship with God, we must believe God’s truth about our unexpected events of life. Trusting in God one day at a time. Thank God for the Acts 2 salvation experience of having God living in us as He sent His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost.
Philippians 4 AMP:
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].
8 Finally, [b]believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.
Modern-day science has proven that our thoughts make a physical impact on the brain. God says death and life are in the power of the tongue. Positive thoughts and words create lights and new connectors in the brain. Negative thoughts and words create blackness (looking like holes) in the brain. The brain impacts our entire body! Will you choose life thoughts and words? God’s Word is full of life and hope!
1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
I pray this article is an encouragement for you in your time of unexpected adversity. We must use God’s Word to replace the toxic thoughts that the devil delights to put in our mind. The devil is a liar! He knows that he will spend forever in the pits of hell. We are overcomers! We have our hope in this life and the life hereafter! Jesus is coming soon!
NOTE: Praising God after three days of physical therapy in this new rehab, my hubby walked over 50 steps today with assistance. We are praying for God daily to flood hubby’s physical body with His renewed strength! For one month, hubby was in bed 90% of the time. Anyone would lose strength. The surgeon promised he would be walking again as he did before. Praise God!
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