Gratefully Ever After
What is your anchor of truth?
I was recently faced with this question and didn't have an immediate answer. I can think of many scriptures that talk about the trustworthy character of God. He has been so good and done so much for me. I figured I'd sit with this question because I wanted my response to be a personal truth. Over the next few days, I thought about those times when I overcame the lies I had struggled with in the past.
As I reflected, I was reminded of a time when my marriage hit rock bottom about 12 years ago. It was a tough time in my life and for my marriage. The pain from the past and my present had finally collided. The lies and fears I had for many years finally showed up, and I was broken. I was done maintaining the facade of perfection; I was tired physically and emotionally.
My only hope at that point was God. I had never stopped trusting and believing in Him. Still, I had allowed the enemy's lies to take over my mind, and they had manifested an ugly person inside me. A person I did not like, and I hated who I had allowed myself to become.
After we decided to get marriage counseling, I quickly realized something I hadn't before. My dad issues had manifested. I was expecting something from my husband that was not realistic and possible. Furthermore, it was not how God had intended it. I had a void that I was expecting my husband to fill. But God rescued me at a very low point in my life. He created my inmost being and knew me like nobody else. God was and is my hero. He became the father I never had. The father I needed and my soul longed for, the one that would complete me. The lie of another person completing you is an utter deceiving lie. The lie that you can run away and bury the hurtful past is a sad disillusion. The lies of the enemy are tormenting. It's never just a lie you believe; it's how the enemy controls and manipulates your way of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
And while I'm at it, can I just break down another misleading lie from the enemy:
“God does not give you more/or make you go through more than you can't handle”
We were created in God's image and designed to depend on Him. The idea that we can handle anything & everything on our own is, for one: a lie, and two: illogical. We weren't created to depend on ourselves; we need Jesus. And the truth is God does not "make us" go through anything. This damaging lie skews our image of God's true nature and character. We face trials & tribulations because we live in a sinful world (the enemy has that covered), not because God orchestrates destruction. He came to save us, not condemn us. John 3:17 says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
God is so good and faithful. I look back and can’t help but be so grateful because He rescued me. I see the evidence of His love all over my life. In this world, there is no happily ever after, but His love is beautiful & perfect. We learn to live anchored to the trustworthy character of God. And that’s enough. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
I’ll end with a few of my anchoring truths:
God is Creator-
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”
Psalm 139:13-16
God is my peace-
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
God is my resting place-
"Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken."
Psalms 62:1-2
God is my salvation-
"Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge."
Psalms 62:5-8
God is my redeemer-
“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.Psalms 103:8-12
God is my Father-
“For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.””
Romans 8:14-15
I’ve also added a few song links to some songs that I have loved so much. They speak the gratitude of my heart. And if you don't understand spanish, I hope the spirit of the song fills your heart. I’ll leave it at three because the list really does goes on! :)