On my side

Today, God had a message He wanted me to hear. No, it didn't come personally addressed to me, but He knew I needed to be reminded of it and He knew I would hear it. It came through Romans 8:28, in a sermon given by our wonderful pastor. In case you need a refresher (like I did!), it reads, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." I knew that verse-in fact, it had helped me through some difficult times in the past, but somehow, over time, I lost sight of it. You see, there have been a few things I have been struggling with lately. Struggling with understanding why circumstances are they way they are. Struggling with why God seems to not hear my earnest prayer, my crying out to Him-and why He chooses not to answer prayers in the way I feel they should be-a way that seems so right! I know I should be trusting in Him more-I mean, I know Proverbs 3:5- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding," So why is it so hard to do? It's these feelings that keep getting in the way! Sadness, anger, righteousness, hurt, desparation....whatever they may be. I've certainly felt them at one point or another. Funny, though, I don't see anywhere in the Bible that tells me to trust in my feelings, or worse, to follow my "heart". (Trust me, I've looked!) Have you ever heard anyone say that? That they feel in their heart that something is right or that they need to follow their heart? Yikes! If you hear that, don't listen to it! Run! Our heart is the worst thing to follow! After all, Matthew 15:19 says "For out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander." Oh boy. Well, not much good coming out of this heart! So I'm back to trusting in God. Yes, I know I should, but why should I trust Him? Will He lead me wrong, especially when things "feel" so bad? That brings me back to Romans 8:28. God causes all things to work together for good.....not some things, not a few things, but ALL things. Somehow, some way, He can take any circumstances and use them for good. I needed that refresher course. It has lifted and encouraged me for today. God's on my side-He is FOR ME! I will doubt sometimes, I will react wrong, and often I wil just choose my own way, but it does not change the truth. If you are going through a tough time, be encouraged-He's there and He loves you! Now go read Romans 8:28 again!