Trust: The Word of the Year

     I mentioned in an earlier post that already 4 months into the year God was working on my faith and trust. More than halfway through 2018 I can say that He is still working.

     This summer I experienced some health complications. I would like to say that they were what prevented me from posting anything, but that wouldn't be quite true. They weren't terribly serious, but it was still scary as they continued on and I still wasn't feeling at my best. "Come on, I'm young!" I thought. "I'm not supposed to struggle with my health!"

     In some ways my 'disabilities' held me back. But in other ways they pushed me forward. I tried not to let how I was feeling (unless I felt really really bad) dictate what I did. I made an effort to say, unless ____ occurs, we are going to do what we can and not let it hold us back. It taught me more to focus on God and continue to trust Him daily. Because I needed Him to give me strength to get through the days. I couldn't do it by myself. I am thankful that he continued to come through. This summer I helped out with the youth group program at my church. Aside from being gone on vacation one week, there was not a week that I missed because God provided and sustained me.

     At this point I have been to the doctor's a couple times and am taking measures to fix whatever is going on. I am trusting God to heal me - through medication, the natural processes of my body, or whatever method he deems necessary. But I had to come to a difficult truth that I may have learned in my head, but am still learning in my heart; He is better.

     My home church is going through the book of Amos as a sermon series. It's got some pretty heavy stuff! The Israelites have turned away from God and He is making good on his promise to punish them for breaking the covenant. One of the things they turned to was wealth. Some had more than one house, and these houses were extravagantly decorated! In the midst of this luxury and splendor the poor were neglected and ignored. The people valued their wordly possessions as more than God.

     The truth I had to learn was that just as God is worth more than worldly goods, He is worth more than my health here on Earth. Even if He does not heal me and this is something that I continue to struggle with I know that He is Good. And he will use my struggles in amazing ways. So, it might not be fun, but it will be worth it.