Just Stand on The Word

I have dear friends going through tough times right now. Some have experienced great loss, some have major health issues and others are trying to parent their children through painfully hard times. Living in a fallen world can be cruel and the obstacles so enormous.  

For someone who likes to talk, lately I’ve been finding myself at a loss for words when asked what I think about certain situations. I don’t know why some people get their healing miracle and others don’t until heaven. I don’t know why one praying parent’s teen makes good choices and another, whose parent prays just as hard, lives in a danger zone. Why does one person’s faith move mountains when another’s seems to inch along? Only God knows the answers we seek and until He gives us insight we must stand in faith believing that in all things He is working for the good of those who love Him who have been called according to His purpose. His Word says so in Romans 8:28.

And this I know to be true as well.  I can think all day long and lose hours of sleep analyzing something from every angle only to find myself exactly where I started, still not knowing why some things happen the way they do. With all my pondering, searching and asking, one thing has become apparent, I must always stand on the Word of God.  I can’t let my emotions get in the way. I can’t let hearing the world say “the reality is” have any influence in my life.  Living a half century has taught me that just because something is a fact in the world’s eyes, doesn’t mean it is God’s truth.

Clearly, God’s ways are much higher than my ways. If I want to know the will of God, I must know His Word. He speaks to me through His Word. If God says it, I believe it. I may not understand why things happen the way they do, but I trust Him.  I trust Him with my life and that of my loved ones because I know how very much He loves us. Therefore, my words should reflect my faith in Him.

In my desire to be Kingdom minded, I’ve been trying to read a chapter in Proverbs, the Book of Wisdom, everyday. I’ve found much truth in these passages as I meditate on them.  Proverbs 30:5 says “Every Word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” I say Amen to that! I believe there is a scripture for every life scenario in Proverbs, and certainly elsewhere in the Holy Scriptures as well. When I find myself not knowing what to say or even how to think on a matter, I look to see what God says about it and then put it into my heart. If I do this enough, the Word becomes part of me.  Proverbs 4:20-23 says “My son, pay close attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man’s whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

When I was younger, there were times I didn’t know to guard my heart. Finding that sorrow that can overtake an unguarded heart led me to understand God’s wisdom in this. Now I guard my heart with everything I’ve got.

The Word also says in Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit”.  Oh, there are so many words I would like to take back, so many times that I have spoken death instead of life, fear and failure instead of faith and hope.

Joyce Meyer says “….if you’re speaking the right things – words of faith, confessing God’s promises – then you are going to have positive results. However, if you’re speaking wrong things – doubt, fear or worry – then you’re going to have negative results. The words you speak today will impact the life you live tomorrow!”

I have found these things to be true as well and because of this, I am different now, I purposely speak life. Sometimes situations are hard and I don’t have the answer. And truth be told, if anyone were to ask what I thought about something truly important, unless my thoughts and words line up with those of Almighty God, anything I’d have to say would be worthless and could possibly do more harm than good. With the power that words hold, I want mine to be a blessing in the lives of others, never a curse.

And whenever I’m asked for help or advice, I pray my first response is to speak faith filled words, never words laced with fear. 1 John 4:18 says “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear.”

I must know well the One who loves me perfectly, so when I speak, my words of faith bring peace.