Girlfriends in God- October 16, 2020

October 16, 2020 Finding Hope in Times of Crisis Mary Southerland Today’s Truth Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1, NIV) Friend to Friend All of us are familiar with crisis. If 2020 has taught us anything, it has given us a chance to grow through difficult times. Our country is facing four crises at once: a health crisis, a financial crisis, a racial crisis and a political crisis. This was not the year any of us expected. How do we find hope in the midst of crisis? How do we keep believing God is at work? How can we know it is all going to be okay? Hebrews 11 teaches that we must do three things to stay hopeful in the storms of life: embrace an eternal perspective from God, establish a daily routine with God, and trust the total sovereignty of God. Have you ever noticed how quickly we can go into crisis mode? And how quickly we get back to normal once the crisis passes? Think with me about the things you have caused you to freak out that are now over and done with. Stuff that was a major crisis when it happened that is now in your rear-view mirror. Hebrews 11 is often called “the hall of faith.” Because it lists heroes of the faith who persevered and found hope in the midst of the crisis. This chapter tells us a group of heroes who over through kingdoms, ruled with justice, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the flames of fire, and put whole armies to flight. That is impressive stuff. And it brings us hope - because in the end - they persevered, and they won! They overcame their crisis. The crisis passed! It appears that because of faith everything turns out great in this life, we will be rescued, we will be saved. But hold on, check this out later in the same chapter. There is another list of faith heroes who were tortured, beaten, prosecuted, imprisoned and killed.  I don’t like this second list as much as the first list. Because there is a whole second set of people who did not get rescued. Everything did not turn out great. And yet scripture tells us this about both groups … “These were all commended for their faith.” Hebrews 11:39 Don’t miss this important truth. They are all in the hall of faith. They all heard Jesus say, “Well done good and faithful servants.” Some saw their deliverance from their crisis. Some did not. And yet they all had faith. They all had hope. How does that work? Check out the next verse. “For God had something better in mind for us.” Hebrews 11:40 Whoa! Something better sounds good. Something better than the current crisis sounds good. Something better than the struggles of this life sounds really good. Next verse please - what is this something better? “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1, NKJV). Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Our faith starts in Jesus - and it finishes in Jesus. Because Jesus wants us to finish well. One of my favorite phrases from scripture is repeated over and over again: “It came to pass.”  Embrace an eternal perspective: this crisis called life will pass. Our hope is that Jesus will help us finish the race. Jesus will get us through the crisis. And heaven is coming - where there is no more crisis. Let’s Pray Father, please help me have an eternal perspective when I am in crisis. Forgive me for just wanting the crisis to pass. Help me learn the lesson You have for me in my storm and honor You in how I handle the storm. Thank you for being with me in every crisis.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Now It’s Your Turn Think back over the past year. What crisis did you face? At the time were you overwhelmed with fear and doubt? Did everything you fear come true? Cover your memories with Romans 8:28. More from the Girlfriends Jesus lived and died so that we can experience abundant life! I know life can be painful!, but if God is God - and He is - then laughter and joy are part of God's plan for our lives. John 10:10 "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (NKJV).  To help you find joy in daily life, check out Mary’s Joy Journal. The Joy Journal is 135 pages filled with scripture, truths, guidance and space for you to reflect and record what God is teaching you about Joy. A few sample pages are shown here. Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook. If you would like to receive more devotions like this one, sign up for Mary’s Blog. Need prayer? Our prayer team is committed to praying for you. Email your requests to our prayer team director, Ginger Meador, at gjmeador@comcast.net Seeking God? GirlfriendsInGod.com   © 2020 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.

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