Trusting When We Can't See

This past week, I underwent a minor eye surgery that required me to receive anesthesia.  I'm not a fan of receiving the stuff, but equally not a fan of pain either.  So, I play a game in my head to fight to stay awake and "with it" during the procedure.  Of course, I wasn't successful.  In the recovery room, I supposedly asked a few questions of the nurse.  I don't even remember a recovery room!  So much for winning my internal game of staying "with it."

I started thinking about the importance of "trust" when you entrust a doctor to do work on an eye or any part of the body.  I wouldn't just let anyone work on my eye.  I needed to know that this doctor was reliable and had a good reputation in his line of work.  Trust is defined as someone or something that is reliable, good, honest and effective.  Firm reliance on the integrity, ability, or character of a person or thing. Yes, trust is important when it comes to medical procedures.

Have you thought about how often you practice trusting in one day?  We trust our alarm to wake us up. We trust our computers to work efficiently.  We trust bridges to be sturdy.  We trust that our car will work.  We trust that we will have water, food, and lodging.  We trust that we will get up and move each day.  We trust planes to get us to our destination.  We trust our banks to protect our money. We trust the chair we sit in. We trust without even thinking!

This week, I've been reminded over and over of my need to trust God.  I experienced a few days where it was hard to see anything.  I felt out of control.  Helpless. Every step with hesitation. It occurred to me how I take the daily miracles of sight, sound and movement for granted. My experience was yet again another reminder of my need to trust God...for everything.

Man's wisdom, understanding and knowledge only go so far.  It is limited.  We don't get why certain things happen or do not happen.  We don't get why good people leave this earth far too early.  We don't comprehend why a "911" would happen.  Ebola. War. You name it.  But, as I study scriptures, I see that the word of God is filled with every answer needed to overcome the toughest of circumstances that come our way.  God's word brings guidance, hope, encouragement and wisdom for what we endure while on this earth. We can trust God even though we don't see everything!

What is your need today?  Even if you may be angry or distant from God today, I encourage you to try Him.  Press in and just try God.   He loves you more than you can imagine.   For those of you who love God and struggling today, I pray that you will be able to trust Him fully despite the circumstances that weigh you down this day.  Start this day KNOWING that God is in control.  He is worthy of your trust.

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me?  The LORD is with me; He is m helper.  I will look in triumph on my enemies.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man.  It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes." Psalm 118:6-9

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.

To Fear or Not To Fear!

Ebola.  I bet last year at this time "Ebola" wasn't even in our vocabulary.  All at once, it's a word we can't seem to escape.  Just this last week, most of us saw the news about a patient at a Dallas hospital with Ebola.  ISIS.  Another word that a year or two ago, wasn't in our vocabulary. Yet, now, brings up images of threat, fear and beheadings. It's amazing how there's always something new we can fear. Ebola. ISIS. Cancer.  The list goes on.  Yet, we have a choice. To fear or not to fear. Does freaking out help? Absolutely not.

Remember Joshua in the Bible? He too had to deal with something totally out of his control.  God had commanded Joshua to lead the Israelites to capture Jericho.  But Jericho was protected by a massive wall that encircled the city.  What must it have been like for Joshua to stand at the wall of Jericho? Pretty intimidating, to be sure.

So God gave a pretty strange plan to Joshua.  He told Joshua to have the men march around the city once each day for six days.  The priests were to carry the ark, blowing trumpets, but the soldiers were to be quiet.  On the seventh day, the assembly marched around the walls of Jericho seven times.  And then, in a flash, between Rahab, some spies and some great hiding, something amazing happened. (Joshua 1-6:25) The walls fell down!  The Israelite army rushed in and conquered the city.  Only Rahab and her family survived.

As a leader, Joshua felt pretty inadequate for the role ahead of him.  I can only imagine He needed some reassurance.  He was taking Moses' place! Pretty cool how God spoke to Joshua and said "Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9) Just at the moment needed. I need those times of encouragement from God frequently. Don't you?

We, just like Joshua, may not always understand God's ways.  As humans, it's easy to question God. When we're bind sided by circumstances, sicknesses and other weird things, it's easy to wonder if God is REALLY in control.  Let me assure you, God IS in control.  Today. Always. What are you freaking out today? Will you trust God?  Will you trust God for the circumstances that are out of your control?  God has not changed since Joshua's times.  He promises to be with you wherever you go. Why not start your day trusting God....with everything that comes your way?

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain for the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.