The Eight Most Profound Truths We Have Learned by Lisa Burkhardt Worley and Dr. Lynnette Simm
#8 God is for Us.
I shared my heart with one of our newer Pearls team members over breakfast this week. I wanted her to know that I was for her, that my goal was to give her more opportunities and to see her grow, both spiritually and in this ministry. When she first decided to join our Pearls of Promise team, she had been tainted by someone’s opinion of me, (someone who did not know me very well). This individual told her that I was “strong” and “controlling.” I was worried that everything I did was judged by that standard and came to the conclusion I needed to tell her how I feel—sooner than later. However, over breakfast she shared that she has discovered through working with me that I am strong, but not so controlling, because she has seen that I am willing to listen to suggestions and change.
The truth is, I am only “strong” because of God’s work in and through me. I have overcome many painful trials in my life, a number of rejections, and even illness because God is for me. Like the Apostle Paul, I have learned to be transparent about my weaknesses and I am open about my struggles.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
I believe God is for me, just as He’s for you. If God weren’t for us, we would probably drown in our problems and barely be able to leave the house in the morning, but thankfully, He is a restoration specialist.
I was reading in Psalm 30 this morning and there were many promises that point to God’s transformative power in our lives, more proof that God is for us.
He lifts us out of the depths. vs. 1
He defeats our enemies. vs. 1
He heals us. vs. 2.
He saves us. vs. 3
He’s merciful. vs. 5
He gives us favor. vs. 5
He turns our weeping into rejoicing. vs. 5
He makes us secure. vs. 6
He is faithful. vs. 9
He helps us. vs. 10
He gives us reason to dance. vs. 11
He provides joy. vs. 11
He puts a song in our heart. vs. 12.
Romans 8:31–32 says, “What then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
The next time trouble rears its ugly head, don’t blame God. Instead, trust Him in the midst of the trial. Know that He is for you and can work good out of any situation—if you let Him.