🎉🍾2020 started like any other year.
We drank some champagne, celebrated that 2019 was over and actually went to bed before midnight.
We got up the next day and realized life was not a lot different.
We rolled through January and February pursuing life as usual and stuff started happening that back on January 1, no one would have ever predicted.
Whether it’s the absolute craziness of 2020🤪 or whether it’s something like, “Last Tuesday... happened”, we know “change is inevitable”.
But that’s just a phrase that really doesn’t mean much, to be honest... especially when you get ambushed by it. Change can come really slowly too... we see it off in the distance and try to prepare for it.
But what do you do when facing the unknown and it feels like things are out of your control? How do you deal with the anxiety and fear that rises up?
We take time to remember.
Here’s a little phrase that just felt like it summed it all up:
Try to remember not to forget.
Let me explain what I mean by that.
We have a tendency to develop “spiritual amnesia” (a phrase borrowed from a friend.) It’s easy to forget all the ways God has been with us and come through for us in the past. Remember those times when the deck seemed so stacked against you and it looked like there were no answers and God showed up and you made it through!
You lived to tell the tale another day.
So here are 4 things to remember:
1.Remember how BIG He is.
David did this while facing Goliath, a HUGE problem! David said, “you come at me with the sword and a javelin but I come to you in the name of the Lord!” David confronted Goliath and we all know how it turned out for Goliath!
Do a size comparison between the problem and God.
Remind yourself how God helped you overcome impossible challenges in the past.
Celebrate and believe who He says He is, who He (image courtesy factfile.org)
says you are and how He’ll come through for you
again and again.
1 Samuel 17 The Story of David and Goliath
2. Remember to keep track of and/or write down every victory no matter how small.
Back in 2010 when we were facing enormous financial difficulties, we focused on God’s promises and celebrated every victory. If we found a quarter in the couch we wrote it down! It was a great exercise in awareness and practicing thankfulness.
When we’d get discouraged, Lang and I would go back and re-read all the ways God had answered. It built our faith and gave us courage. It will do the same for you, when you remember what God has done for you in the past.
Joshua 4:24
Do this so that all of the people of the earth may know how strong the power of the LORD is, and so that you may fear (reverence) the LORD your God every day."
3. Remember to keep things in perspective.
This world is our temporary home; we’re only passing through!
This life is a journey on the way to eternity with Him. Paul considered all the things he went through to be "temporary afflictions."
2 Corinthians 4:17
These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us.(MSG)
4. Remember to look forward to the hope of the best outcome. See God's promises working in your current situation.
Take time to find a promise that resonates with you and think about what it would look like, experienced in your own life. Lang and I have scriptures written on paper hanging all over the house so that if we feel we're faltering there's a good chance we will see one of those scriptures and be encouraged.
2 Cor.1:20
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
We would love to hear how you deal with the challenges that come your way. Tell us how you remember not to forget and let's keep this list going!