Persevering in Undecided Times

My husband works in the construction industry. When he was a union carpenter, it could be feast or famine. Now, he's salaried, and we know he'll receive a paycheck every week.

Women look at me almost every day and say, "How do you do it? I don't think I could."

My secret? I don't think I can, either. Not on my own, anyway.

Photo Courtesy of Frieda Suess

"If you faint in the day of adversity,
Your strength is small."
~ Proverbs 24:10

There are days I want to fling myself onto my bed, cry a pool of tears and forget that I have four children needing my attention in the living room. There are days I'd like to pack my house up, put it all in storage and demand my husband buy a fifth-wheel we can pull behind the Yukon to every new job site. There are days I dream of him finding a career in which we can plant ourselves in a home and watch our children graduate from the school they attended in first grade through their senior year.

But that's not the story God is writing in our life. God is writing a story similar to His own:

"Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." ~ Matthew 8:20 

As we travel from place-to-place, I have to remember that this world is not my home. My home is in eternity with Christ. This place to lay my head is only temporary. Just like the next move.

"The lot is cast into the lap,
But its every decision is from the Lord."
~ Proverbs 16:33

I've had to learn to trust God with the decisions my husband makes concerning our family and our travels. I've learned that we, as humans, make mistakes, and sometimes it feels like God has moved out of the picture, or we've chosen to stay put. I've learned that we make our plans, but God makes the final decision. He opens the doors and closes them.

I rely on God to be my Strength, my Rock, my Shield and my Go-To-Guy. It's through His grace that I make it through the next day, and the next and the next. I couldn't do it without Christ.

Could you?

Who Is Your Confidence?

Step-mothering is one of the most difficult roles I've had to live out in my life. At times, things would be great. Everyone involved in the situation would  be in agreement, walk in unity, and enjoy the journey. Other days I had to rely on God, as the enemy came at me full force. My every decision, word, or action would be scrutinized, criticized, and held under a magnifying glass. During these times, I went to battle in prayer, and I knew that God had given me directives and a plan. The battles were never easy to fight but I had to stand my ground. In the years to come, I would be able to give God the glory for the victories won.


Every one of us face similar battles in life. I'm not talking about overcoming spiritual giants that have resulted from our personal sin. I'm talking about the unjust accusations from others. I'm talking about the times when we know that we are lined up with God's will and are following His directives. Yet, the enemy is advancing. Names are being called. Mud covers our faces. We face shame and defeat. The question is, will we set our faces like flint and know for certain that God will help us through?


Isaiah 50:5-9 tell a scene of Jesus facing His accusers. I am truly amazed at how He gave of Himself and trusted God, His Father, to help Him. When He was on the cross, He cried out to God, asking Him why He'd forsaken Him. Doesn't that sound like our hearts' cries when we face the adversary? God, why have You forsaken me? Why do I feel so alone right now, with all of these people accusing me of things I have not done, things I have not said? Why do I feel as if I'm wide open for the world to throw rotten and vile things at?


"The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, Nor did I turn away." (v. 5)
We could respond to their pressure and accusations by rebelling against God and turning from His truths. We could stop listening to Him and His wisdom. We could become one of the accusers and leave the cross behind. But Jesus didn't...

"I gave My back to those who struck Me, And My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting." (v. 6)
We could fight back, as Peter drew his sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. Or, we could respond as Jesus did, turning the other cheek, forgiving those who came against Him, for they knew not what they did. It may feel shameful to be spit upon, but it's not about us. It's about Jesus and what He did for us. Vengeance is the Lord's, not ours.

"For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed." (v. 7)
Jesus had His confidence in the Lord before He ever went to the cross. He knew God would be glorified and would come to His aid. His esteem did not come from those who accused Him. His purpose came from God. 

"He is near who justifies Me; Who will contend with Me? Let us stand together. Who is My adversary? Let him come near Me." (v. 8)
God justifies us, just as He justified Jesus as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Messiah. When our lives truly belong to God and we are following in His footsteps, we have nothing else to fear. God is love, and perfect Love (Jesus) casts out all fear. Our adversaries cannot touch us in the end if we truly believe that God is who He says He is. He is the One who justifies us. If God is for us, none can be against us. Jesus overcame the enemy. God raised Him from the dead and placed Him at His right hand in heaven. He was glorified, and the enemy was overcome.

When we strive to be like Jesus, to be obedient to God, even in the midst of our adversaries, He will always be near, ready to help in times of need. Our confidence needs to be in Him, not ourselves, not other people, not material things. Jesus saves.