Where has God led you this past week? He led me to sit with an old friend. Separated by different seasons of life, we hadn’t visited for too long. I stopped to say hi and thought I’d only be a minute. Instead I was at least an hour, sitting in her living room, taking time to catch up.

God tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. All these things I’ve been working out these past few weeks regarding Lost Children, Armoring Up, and what to do with Broken Hearts, seemed to collide sitting there with her.

I’m used to sharing my faith with those who have not embraced Jesus for themselves. I’m used to worshiping with those who have. Until now, I don’t think I’ve ever sat with someone who used to pray with me, and realized that with their broken hearts, they have taken off their armor and are running away from God.

Have you ever stood in the quake of tragedy and examined your faith? Have you reminded yourself why you believe what you believe?

It’s not a sin to look at your circumstances and ask God where He is. Sometimes you can’t see Him, and it can be hard to hear Him, but if you ask Him, He will tell you… He’s right there in the middle of the storm, covering you with His grace as long as you’ll lean in and allow Him to hold the umbrella.

If we allow disappointment to lead us to question God’s goodness, we wander into dangerous places.

Have you stood in those cross roads? It is where the enemy shouts loudest. He waits until you are tired and worn down, and then he shoots his fiery arrows with recklessness. You may think you only hear yourself, but chances are, the devil is in the background, chanting lies.

Stay in the battle. It is a battle. Especially if you’re tired, keep your eyes open wide. Stick with what you know is true and camp there.

When tempted by the devil in the wilderness, Jesus answered him with scripture every time. “It is written,” he said. Speak God’s words. Feelings can’t be counted if they are contrary to what scripture says is true. Ask others to pray for you and with you when you feel vulnerable.

God is always perfectly GOOD.

Camp there.

He is perfectly FAITHFUL.

Rest in that.

He is perfectly LOVING.

Embrace it.

He is perfectly KIND.

Feast on that.

He is perfectly PATIENT. Even when you are disappointed with yourself, HE loves you. When others disappoint you, He is reliable.

Claim that.

When your heart breaks, He understands. His broke too. It broke for you and it broke for me. And then Jesus gave his body to be broken for us, to win our battles for us if we only trust Him.

Praise is the antidote for a broken heart. Don’t hide your heart. Offer it up. Your breakthrough is coming. His mercies are new every morning.

Camp there. Tell the enemy NO and GO.

You’ll feel the tide turning. You’ll find the joy rising. Even if you feel numb now, the sun is rising on you.

I’ve stood at the cross roads and answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall I go? You have the words of eternal life.” (from John 6:68) There is no place else.

I remain confident of this:

    I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart

    and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 27:13-14

Praise with me?