Refuge for a Single Mom

Everyone just wants something to believe in ~ don`t they?  Everyone needs somewhere to belong and feel safe!  This issue came up in conversation several times yesterday and I felt compelled to `investigate`.

History is repeating itself as I watch my teenage son, attempt to distinguish himself, find a place to belong and to be accepted.  It seems like mo matter how much we love our kids unconditionally; they continue to want for something more!  They need their friends to accept them . . . they need to be accepted by the opposite gender . . . they need their teacher`s approval . . . it`s endless!  *smile*

In reality, most adults are no different!  We need our bosses, co-workers, social groups, etc. to `like` us!

Do you remember when you were an unbeliever and you roamed around always empty?  No matter how many friends you had, how much money you made, how much you exercised ~ there was still something missing?

I distinctly remember hearing the religious icons talk about this!  They would consistently try to impress the need for God in our lives!  (I often chuckle at how silly it all sounded then!)  But it is SO real!

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Why is it that so many people deny the existence of God?  They refuse to believe that He loves them and is willing to forgive them of all their sins!

1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 “In My Father`s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 “And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.  John 14:1-6

be•lieve

to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so

Why?  Why is it so hard for people to believe in God?

Is it a trust issue?  Do they not trust the Word of God?

It could be guilt!  Yes!  Guilt is good.  I mean it`s a huge struggle to forgive yourself!  If you are fortunate enough to forgive yourself and believe that God has forgiven you, there is always somebody in this world that is more than happy to remind you of what a failure you are!

Is it pride?  Maybe they`re too proud to admit they need anyone else ~ including God?

Doubt?  That`s another huge issue!  If we aren`t proud, we lack self-confidence to do very much of anything!

OH!  I know!  They`re having too much fun drinking themselves silly and doing so many drugs that their bodies are dying from the inside out!  Then there`s the premarital/extramarital sex with dozens of people they don`t know (or know anything about)!  OOH!  Gambling!  That`s a good one!  It`s a real rush to gamble your paycheck away and not be able to pay your bills!

You might wonder where all that came from!  Well, because I know!  First hand!  I was completely throwing my life away!

What changed all that?  Believing in something!  REALLY believing in God!  Completely and totally believing that He loves me ~ unconditionally!

13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. I John 5:13-15

Praise God!


SPECIAL NOTE:Above I mentioned 5 different reasons why we might find it difficult to believe:  Trust Issues, Guilt, Pride, Doubt & Selfishness.  These are all huge pitfalls, especially for us single moms who often lack the Earthly support system we desperately need.  Shoot, I know a lot of married moms struggling with these same topics!  Next week, I want to research each topic individually and see if we can`t understand them a little better!

Best wishes for a weekend full of God`s love!

Labels: Believe, Doubt, Faith, Guilt, Pride, Selfishness, Trust

Today, I don`t really have a target or an idea.  I`m actually a little `off`.  I really have been for a while and I just can`t place it.

Things are going much better in general.  New doors are opening, new opportunities have presented.  I should be delirious.  I was even able to invest money into our business and pay some bills that have been `lingering` around unpaid!  Whoo Hoo!  *big smile*

If it makes any sense at all, I`m feeling a bit guilty.  We have struggled for so long and had to pinch so many pennies, that I feel guilty spending money.  I`m worried that we`ll `run out`!

Well, the fact of the matter is, that I`ve hoped for so long and `believed` for so long, I`m just taken aback that `better days` are here!  Perhaps I never really believed at all?

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  Hebrews 11:1

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

We are told to expect God`s supernatural power.

But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way. I Corinthians 12:31

"Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days-- You would not believe if you were told."  Habakkuk 1:5

Well, I`m still learning this!  He amazes me and surprises me ~ each and every day!  He is just so awesome and miraculous!

"Nevertheless I did not believe the reports, until I came and my eyes had seen it. And behold, the half was not told me. You exceed in wisdom and prosperity the report which I heard."  I Kings 10:7

Do you ever have one of those moments when you`ve come through a tough battle and you look back over all the events that took place and it dawns on you!  If all of those things hadn`t happened, you wouldn`t be where you are or who you are!

He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.  Psalm 145:19

You realize, finally, or even again, that God really does know what He`s doing!  And often, we feel like idiots because we ever doubted!

Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.   Matthew 7:7

Praise God!

Labels: Believe, Condemnation, Doubt, Guilt