God Goes Before Us

Uncertainty, challenges, and transitions often stir up fear, resentment, or tension. As a military spouse, I’ve faced many uncertain situations. To be honest, the moving often sent me to the edge. Letting go, facing the unknown, and finding new support systems often made me an anxious wreck. (You can read about that in this free chapter of my book.)

How do you find stability and security in a transitory life? It’s hard.

Deuteronomy might not be your favorite book of the Bible. Maybe it’s one you’ve avoided, but trust me on this. You want to get hold of this truth about our God who the same yesterday, today, and forever. One morning, I was battling fear and anxiety and a pretty big dose of resentment at having to move. . . again. God really spoke to my heart and I hope you will be strengthened by the words to follow.

If you need hope, prayer, or encouragement for navigating an uncertain situation in your life, take a moment to prayerfully read this passage from Deuteronomy.:

^“The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, ³¹ and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.’ ³² But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God, ³³ who goes before you on your way, to seek out a place for you to encamp, in fire by night and cloud by day, to show you the way in which you should go.” –Deuteronomy 1:30-33

At first glance, this was my first response: Oh great, another thing I’m messing up in my life. On some level, it felt a little like a smack on the wrist. But then, I read it again and God prompted me to focus on the specific characteristics of God. The important thing isn’t my struggle. I’m human–my faith is often weak.

What gave my faith a God-sized boost was focusing on what God does.

What are you focusing on today, your problems or struggles or on the attributes of God?

Here’s the truth, at times we all struggle to trust God when we can’t see what’s ahead or when we don’t like where we think we’re going.

Why we can trust God with our uncertainty:

What an amazing picture of the goodness of God!  Embedded in these words are some principles that are true in the trials and  transitions that every child of God goes through:

• God goes before us—we are not alone.
• When we are following God, He will fight on our behalf.
• When we find ourselves in the wilderness (difficulties and confusion) on our way, God will bring us through with loving care.
• There are times when God carries us, just as a father carries his child.
• God seeks out a place for us.
• God will show us the way we should go.

Each one of the principles above are specific ways God both cares for and takes care of us.

When we resist God. . .

But For All This

I find myself haunted by Moses’ words when he says, “But for all this, you did not trust the LORD your God…”

On those days when I struggle with negative thinking or a fearful outlook…

On those days when I think I am staring a giant in the face…

I am hit between the eyes of my soul as I realize how easily I forget how good and faithful God has been in every change and transition.

Hope for When Emotions and Insecurities Get the Best of You…

So often in scripture these same concepts and patterns are played out in our lives. The details of the situation may change, but the principle resonates through time, out of the pages of ancient writings, and into the details of our  day and the challenges that we face. Friend, we can learn from the examples—emulate the good and avoid the negative.

The  take-away from this is really very simple.

Not easy.

But simple.

When we face difficulty, insecurity, and adjustments that come with trials or transitions, we can make the holy and whole choice to trust God.

We can move forward because God goes before us.

Hold on to the truth that He is with you and will help you get where he is leading. 

A Prayer for Hope in Your Transitions

If you find yourself in a situation like this, where your emotions and doubts are getting the best of you, join me in this prayer:

Lord, forgive me that I have been discontent and fearful  about_________. Change my perspective so that I can move forward and enter into what you have for me. This place, this situation, is unfamiliar and uncertain, but there is blessing here. I ask you to give me this place/situation, to make it my own and to fully possess what you have for me here.

 Now I speak your word to myself: do not fear. 

You are going before me and you will fight on my behalf, just as you have done on so many other occasions. I believe that you will carry me through each challenge as a father carries his son. What precious care you give, even when I can’t see it. Give me eyes to see the ways you are taking care of me today.

Thank you for fighting on my behalf.  I trust you to show me the way I should go.  Guide my choices and decisions—may they be prompted by faith rather than fear.

Because I rely on you, I will not let my emotions hold me back.

 Turn my heart from resistance, fear, or discontent. Give me a willing heart to trust your leadership. 

Lord, I want what you want.

I will go where you lead.

Amen