God is still faithful
Posted by The Skyliner on February 3rd, 2010Christine Parks
Staff Writer
During life, people experience a vast array of difficulties and hardships, which over time put strain on the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being of the individual. Death, difficult decisions, heartache and broken relationships are all encountered during the walk of life, but so is God’s faithfulness. The difficulties that are faced in life can blind people to the reality that God is faithful regardless of human circumstances.
Emotional well-being can affect an individual’s view of God’s faithfulness. If people have been damaged or have struggled emotionally, they may allow those emotions to dictate how faithful they feel God is.
Mental or physical illnesses can wear down a body too. Sickness attacks the body and individuals will physically not feel well. They may feel that God’s faithfulness is lacking and that He has abandoned them, or is not helping them through their struggle. An individual’s feelings, however, cannot change an unchangeable God and his character. This truth can alleviate the pain of believing that God is unfaithful based on the feelings or emotions experienced.
God is faithful, and his faithfulness is based upon truth and personal experiences. Regardless of the circumstances in life, Psalm 34:17-20 says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers them from them all; he protects all their bones, not one of them will be broken.”
Thankfully, God is faithful even when feelings or emotions experienced tempt the individual to believe otherwise.
There is a battle in the mind of each person caused by the conflict between flesh and spirit. A believer’s spirit is made alive by the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God’s beautiful Son and Word. Through Christ, believers have the ability to live in the freedom he offers. Believers are still human. They encounter struggles of many kinds, but not without the faithful grace of God. As new struggles are faced and old ones are challenged, remember that regardless of the feelings, tiredness, frustrations, hurts and anger experienced, God’s faithfulness to His Word and His promises to His creation are unchanging.
Paul had to remind the Thessalonians by saying, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thess. 5.23-24).
Do not be discouraged when feelings tell lies about God’s character or tiredness overwhelms the body. God is faithful to His plan for each individual and Christ continues to intercede for each person to accomplish the purpose for their lives. As each new experience comes, look to God and “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14). He will be faithful.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 2