What Do I Do If...?

What do I do if... things don’t work out the way I had hoped?

To live, to enjoy moments, to embrace people, to laugh and be joyful, to find enjoyment in what I do… these are all gifts from God.

What is also a gift from God is the ability to persevere in trying circumstances, to endure through pain and come out wiser, to feel loved by God even if I'm rejected by people.

No matter what is happening in life and the world around me, I can pray from the Word of God and celebrate all good things ahead.

Praying isn’t complaining – although lamenting has its place. Prayer isn’t telling God what I think He should do. Prayer is an exchange – our worries and petitions for His counsel and peace. When I pray, I don’t walk away, still clutching my worries and petitions. I leave them with Jesus, thanking Him as I go for what He will do, and what He might show me to do.

2 Timothy 1:12 (AMP)

This is why I suffer as I do. Still, I am not ashamed; for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].

What do I do if... I'm feeling crushed by life’s events? I can find moments of contentment.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

1 Timothy 6:6-7 (AMP)

But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]. For we have brought nothing into the world, so [it is clear that] we cannot take anything out of it, either.

What do I do if... I'm finding life hard to understand and I can’t fathom where God is? I must stop myself from accusing God, and try not to despair. Accusations are disrespectful and despair doesn’t trust Him. My life may not always feel stable but His faithfulness is.

Lamentations 3:22-23 (The Voice)

How enduring is God’s loyal love; the Eternal has inexhaustible compassion. Here they are, every morning, new! Your faithfulness, God, is as broad as the day.

Colossians 3:2 (AMP)

Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].

What do I do if... I’m finding it hard to stop bad habits and turn from things that I know aren’t good for me? I seek His purity and His holiness in His Word. Then I will see God and those things will lose their power over me.

Psalm 107:13-14 (ESV)

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and burst their bonds apart.

What do I do if... I’m feeling helpless? I need to remind myself that God knows the way ahead of me.

One day, when I was in a very dark, distressed place, I was crying out to God. As I was lamenting, I saw a picture of Jesus in rough terrain ahead of me. He said to me, ‘Don’t worry Tracy-Ann, just follow me. I know the way. I’ve been this way before.’

I’ve been following Him ever since and He has showed me the way. Every step.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NLV)

For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope.

Other people’s sin can affect me just as much as my own sin. But Jesus still knows the way.

Isaiah 43:19 (GWT)

I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.

Jeremiah 32:27 (NLT)

“I am the LORD, the God of all the peoples of the world. Is anything too hard for me?

If I truly want to, I can do what I can to turn each moment toward something good, because I follow Him. He will do the rest.

If I truly want to, my soul can be fruitful even if my circumstances feel lacking. When my soul is fruitful, my circumstances will eventually follow.

Matthew 6:33 (NASB)

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.

I can recognise my limitations and be thankful that God doesn’t have limitations - I remember that in Him I live and move and have my being (Acts 17:28). I can recognise other people’s limitations for what they are and I don’t have to avenge myself.

Psalm 68:1 (KJV)

Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him.

God invites me to enjoy, and make the most of, the life He's given me.

So, what do I do if...?

When I walk through tough times, I thank God for going ahead of me. I turn toward Him instead of turning away. I reach out and receive His help. I trust in the power of God in each situation to turn things for my good (Romans 8:28) even if it looks different to what I imagine. I remember everything has its season (Ecclesiastes 3).

Using each day for good brings glory to God, strengthens my heart, and broadens my understanding. When trusting in God, and not leaning on my own understanding, I discover there is always another way forward that I haven't seen.