Lately, I have been in a weird season and have been retreating into myself more than usual (and that’s saying something coming from a true introvert!). I feel like a broken record whenever I say this, but I have been so tired within my soul lately.
Part of me struggles to write because I am a happy person who loves the Lord, but it’s been a difficult season of deep pain in various ways. But, a big part of my writing and building community with you is being honest. And if I’m being honest, I’ve been tired. That’s just where I am.
Related: Seeking God When You are Tired, Weary, and Worn Out
This season of weariness has really challenged me to examine my thoughts on victorious Christian living and what that looks like when we don’t feel victorious. I keep coming back to 5 truths that I hope can be an encouragment to you as you walk out your own story.
Truths For when your circumstances seem impossible: Victory is not a feeling.
I caught myself feeling guilty because I wasn’t feeling victorious, even though I was doing “all the right things”. But as I thought over this, I was reminded that victory isn’t a feeling; it is a truth and reality of who we are as believers and recipients of God’s grace.
Because our identity is rooted in the person of Jesus and who He is, we can declare that we are victors, even whenever our circumstances feel close to unbearable. It’s not a feeling or wishful thinking, but a declaration and acknowledgment of what Christ has already purchased for us. Victory is on the horizon because Jesus is where we are running too!
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Isaiah 15:57, esv
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 8:37, ESV
Truths For when your circumstances seem impossible: His sovereignty outweighs our fears
His sovereignty outweighs our fears every single time. This doesn’t mean He doesn’t care about our fears and our worries. It’s quite the opposite. He actually invites us to come and tell Him about them.
But at some point, we can make a choice to be all consumed by our worries or to rest in His sovereignty. His sovereignty that no only knows why something is happening but knows how to heal, redeem and restore.
That same sovereignty knows how to graciously step in and move on our behalf. We are never going to have all of the answers and we are always going to have questions and fears, but the weight and reality of His sovereignty gives us space to breathe and rest.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Matthew 10:29-31, ESV
Truths For when your circumstances seem impossible: Our weakness is irrelevant.
Whenever I initially wrote this phrase out, I honestly winced a little. So much of life with chronic illness and disability is dictated by physical weakness. But at the end of the day, what our bodies are or are not capable of has zero bearings on how God is able to work in and through our lives.
The places of weakness in our bodies can serve as powerful places for God to come in and move in a way that only He can. His purpose and desire for our lives is not thrown off by our bodies or our current circumstances. At the end our strength is His abundant ability to do the impossible.
Related: 7 Bible Verses about Strength
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 corinthians 12:9, ESV
Truths For when your circumstances seem impossible: We do not have to have it all figured out. We simply have to follow His lead.
I’ll be the first to admit that I can get so caught up in analysis paralysis. I have a very analytical mind; which comes with the territory of being an INTJ. Critical thinking is my jam. And on top of that, I struggle with doing things perfectly. As you can imagine, the two aren’t necessarily the perfect recipe. I can get so stressed out about trying to come up with the best and perfect outcome.
However, there is great freedom whenever we realize that we are not responsible for having all the answers and we do not need all the answers in order to follow His lead. Our role is not to have it all figured out. We are simply called to follow and be obedient.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV
The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9, ESV
Truths For when your circumstances seem impossible: Struggle and Peace can coexist.
The final truth that I have been clinging to in this season is that struggle and peace can coexist. Struggling does not mean that we lack faith and just because we are in the middle of a deep struggle does not mean we cannot simultaneously experience deep peace.
Our peace depends on the Lord, not on our circumstance.
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33, ESV
But he was pierced for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5, ESV
Are there any truths that you cling to whenever you are in a difficult season? let me know in the comments below!
