I was having a fantastic day. I had just gotten off the phone with a couple who were committing a large amount of money to my ministry! “Ah, God you are so good!” I whispered. “I can do this!”For the rest of the day I was on cloud nine. I worked diligently and with a happy heart knowing that I was one step closer to my goal. But a couple days later I had a bad day. I had just had the most awkward conversation with a couple that was very dear to my heart and I was hoping would be willing to support me. They weren’t. All of a sudden a wave of self-doubt flooded my mind and my heart. “If only I had remembered to mention that I still wanted to meet with them regardless of whether they could give or not”. “Why is this so hard for me?” “Is this really God’s plan for my life?” For the rest of the day I moped around. Wondering if God was really calling me to missions; doubting everything about myself and about His plan for my life. I hardly got anything done. I felt so defeated that I was too ashamed to make any more phone calls. Why should I bother if not even the people that I care about want to support me?
See what happened in these two situations? My emotional responses to these situations affected my entire day and productivity. It may have seemed a bit dramatic but it showed a dangerous habit that had been forming for many months and years. My emotions were dictating how my day would go as well as my view of myself and of God.
How easy it is to get lost in our present situations and how we feel about what is happening around us in the moment. However, we cannot let our emotions put a filter on who God is and who we are in His eyes. Let us shift our focus to the one and only constant in life. God. His faithfulness and mercy never end. His love for us never changes regardless of our actions. If we go throughout life always knowing these things then how much better will our days of support raising and ministry go whether we receive a great phone call or a bad, frustrating phone call?
Friends, no matter what we are feeling, let us continue to focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness.
“Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I”. Psalm 61:1-2