God is not about to do something weird, but He is about to do something that will challenge our hearts. As believers, we know that God is constantly at work in our lives, shaping us and moulding us into the people He created us to be.
However, sometimes His plans for us can be uncomfortable or unfamiliar, requiring us to step outside of our comfort zones and confront our fears and limitations so it’s worth exploring what it means to be challenged by God and how we can find encouragement in the midst of these challenges.
God’s Plans for Us
God has a unique plan and purpose for each of our lives. In Jeremiah 29:11, He says, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Sometimes God’s plans for us can be challenging or difficult to understand. We may be called to make changes in our lives that are uncomfortable or to confront situations that require us to rely on God’s strength and guidance – and importantly, to exercise our faith in Him.
In everyday life, this may look like stepping out of our comfort zones and taking on new challenges or opportunities. It may mean forgiving someone who has hurt us deeply, or it may mean (as it is increasingly becoming a cultural stance) standing up for our beliefs in the face of opposition. Whatever the challenge may be, we can trust that God’s plans for us are good and that He is working all things together for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28). We are never left to our own devices, and God is at work in the deep agenda of our lives in acts of phenomenal providence.
Embracing God’s Challenges
When God challenges us, it’s important that we embrace these challenges with faith and courage. Trusting, obeying and following. We may not understand what He’s doing or why He’s doing it, but we can trust in His love and faithfulness. In Isaiah 43:2, He says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Trust that God will be with you every step of the way, no matter how difficult the challenge may be.
Assistance
One way that we can find encouragement in the face of these challenges is by turning to Scripture and following the narratives and examples of other believers who have faced similar struggles. The Apostle Paul, for example, was faced with numerous challenges and hardships throughout his ministry, but he remained steadfast in his faith and trusted in God’s strength and guidance. In Philippians 4:13, he writes, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It’s a reminder that we can face any challenge with confidence and courage when we rely on the power of God. Sure, things may very well not turn out the way that we expected, but at the end of it we do have a story to tell with God’s fingerprints all over our lives.
We can also find encouragement by surrounding ourselves with the community of believers who can support and encourage us. Having a supportive community can help us to stay focused on God’s plans for our lives and to find strength and encouragement when we’re feeling overwhelmed. Nothing is more encouraging than being with the Church worshipping God and being caught up with renewed vision of His supremacy in all things. Things can be difficult, but God in His omnipotence, is greater. Far greater.
Pursuing a Deeper Relationship with God
In everyday life, it’s easy to become complacent in our relationship with God. We may become comfortable in our routines and habits, and we may start to take God’s blessings and grace for granted. However, when we allow ourselves to become complacent, we risk missing out on the fullness of God’s plan for our lives. How do we shake that complacency off?
As believers, we are called to actively pursue a deeper relationship with God, to seek His will for our lives, and to follow Him wholeheartedly. This requires intentionality and discipline on our part, as well as a willingness to let go of anything that is hindering our relationship with God. The problem is always at our end, God desires a deeper relationship with us.
One way that we can be encouraged in the pursuit of a deeper relationship with God is as mentioned earlier, by looking at the examples of others who have pursued a deeper relationship with Him. In Psalm 42:1-2, the psalmist writes, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Our relationship with God is our highest priority and it is a given that we be eager to pursue Him with our whole hearts – making Him our magnificent obsession!
You will know that another approach to that intimacy with God is through prayer and worship. When we take time to pray and worship, we’re able to connect with God on a deeper level and to hear His voice more clearly. We’re also able to express our love and gratitude to Him and to receive the affirming peace and comfort of the Spirit in return.
God’s plans for us are good. No superlatives are necessary. God is good, and everything in and about Him reflects that infinitely. even when they’re challenging or uncomfortable. As we pursue a deeper relationship with God we’re able to experience His love and grace in new and profound ways, and discover the fullness of His plan for our lives.
For our good…
God is not about to do something weird, but He is about to do something that will challenge our hearts. That’s nothing fresh, He is always at work in our lives. We are never left groping in the dark or unsupervised! We can trust that His plans for us are good, and that He is working all things together for our ultimate good as we slowly, but confidently, grow in our relationship with Him to become the people He created us to be.
Let us seek His will for our lives and follow Him wholeheartedly, knowing that He is with us every step of the way.
