Trusting God with Every Breath (eBook)

January 1

The Details of Life

The LORD directs the steps of the godly.

He delights in every detail of their lives.

PSALM 37:23 NLT

God has blessed me in so many ways. Every time I turn around, he shows up. Where? In the details. He’s in the sweet face of the kindergartner who says, “My teacher is so pretty.” He’s in the flowers sent from dear friends. He’s in the job I have because he prompted me to earn my teaching license, knowing I would soon need it to support my family. He’s in my grandfather’s voice on the phone, asking if I’ve been on a hot date lately. He’s in my son’s voice when he asks me how my day was. He’s in the math student who declares that I am his favorite part of math class.

God is everywhere I look. Absolutely everywhere. His fingerprints are all over those little things that I sometimes take for granted. None of them are from my planning or thoughts. The details are from God to me and remind me how much I matter to him. God is here. He is with you too. When he’s in the smaller details of life, take notice of them. Pay attention. You’ll be overwhelmed by his provision from the everyday moments of everyday life.

What are some of your details from God? Think about today. Anything stand out? Think back to last week, last month, last year. Grab a notebook and start your list, writing down the personal details God has orchestrated for your life.

January 2

Puzzle Pieces

The LORD’s plans stand firm forever;

his intentions can never be shaken.

PSALM 33:11 NLT

Isn’t it comforting to think about the details God has placed into your life? God, who created all things, knows you. He gives you little gifts because he notices you. He orchestrates the big picture because he cares that much. Notice how he has everything laid out for you. Everything. He has a plan, and all you must do is trust him. Boy, is it hard, but it’s all we can do.

Some of us choose to worry instead. We obsess over details and planning, creating massive burdens to plan and execute our future. No thanks. I’d rather have the God of the universe, the Creator of all things, plan my future. He knows the beginning and the end. He knows all my options and fits my future together like a puzzle. I can only imagine the stress of trying to fit my puzzle pieces together all on my own. Besides, I don’t have the finished picture. And heck, I’d probably lose a piece or two. Blame it on my sweet dog. Do you know who has the full picture of our puzzle? God. Because he designed it. And it’s not a puzzle to him.

Have you created that list of details yet or at least started it? When life hits you, it’s easy to let worry take over. But when you have a list of the details God has orchestrated over your life, faith takes back the reins. Find a pretty notebook. Maybe even a fun new pen. Carve out some moments and write down the details God has taken care of for you. And keep it up because he’s not done blessing you.

January 3

Gut-Level Trust

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

PSALM 23:4 NIV

These words depict the gut-level trust we must have. When we are completely in the dark, unable to see or bear to see what lies before us, God takes our hand, guiding us home. He knows where we are going. He holds the map because he created it. When we cannot see anything, we put our hand in his and let him guide us. Would you rather grope around in the dark, becoming hysterical because you cannot find your way? I’d rather plead to my God, who created the universe, to guide me in all things. I’d rather seek his face, surrendering myself to his will and plans for my future.

I know God wants the very best for me. My joy and trust give him pleasure. He wants to bless me. All I must do is provide gut-wrenching trust. I must know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has my back and will guide me in peace to safety. Will my life always have times of utter darkness? Will he reveal his plan to me at some point? Yes. In life, there are times of light and times of darkness. God is the same through each moment in our lives. He simply stands, waiting for us to take his strong hand.

Big or small, God wants you to take his hand, allowing him to lead you down his path of peace. While in the dark, grab hold of his hand. Aim to trust him with all things. Start now.

January 4

Walking in Gut-Level Trust

The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you

and protect you from the evil one.

2 THESSALONIANS 3:3 NIV

The darkness is engulfing me. It has completely taken over my vision. I can no longer see anything. Where did everything go? The familiar surroundings have disappeared. I recognize nothing. It’s cold and damp. The ache of loneliness coupled with the loss of vision has brought me to my knees. I cannot think. I’m desperate. I’m lost. I’m dying. All I can think of is to speak the name of Jesus. He must be here somewhere. He’s promised never to leave us.

Jesus, I need you. I cannot see. My life seems to be over, and the chaos is overwhelming me. I can’t breathe. Jesus…help. I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder. I cannot see who it is, but I feel his peace rippling through my body. I feel God’s presence in the darkness. Hope springs up. Fear leaves. I still cannot see anything at all, but I feel God’s hand on my shoulder, guiding me to my feet. I can feel his arm holding mine and my feet fall into step with his. His gentle presence and strong, steady grip release the hold of fear. I’m still blind in the dark, but I don’t care. My God is with me, and he will take me where I am safe. He will surround and protect me. I am his child, and he cares.

Have you ever felt desperately in need of God’s help? At the end of your rope? Drop it. Place your darkness into God’s hands. Plead for him to rescue you. Then trust him. He promises to rescue you when you ask. All you must do is ask him.

January 5

Resting in Gut-Level Trust

Commit your way to the LORD;

trust in him and he will do this.

PSALM 37:5 NIV

Things change in life. Changes thrust upon us without choice. It’s like the absence of choice that leaves have in falling off trees. Come autumn, leaves don’t choose whether to fall off the tree or not. They just do. But God takes care of those trees. He lets them rest during the winter months.

That’s what God did with me during darker times in my life. He let me rest. Yes, he kept me walking toward his plan, but it was a restful, peaceful walk. He did the guiding. I did the trusting. It was gut-level trusting because I had no idea where we were going or what we were doing. I knew I needed to get away from the cold damp pit. Life was so foreign to me and horrible when my family broke apart. But knowing I was in the palm of God’s hand made all the difference. While I sought him for my next breath, he faithfully answered me. Every single time. On my own, I could never have found my way out. I didn’t have the map. But God did.

God has your map. Let him read it for you, resting in the knowledge that he’s got you and more. He knows the beginning from the end, and this helps us trust him with our unknowns. As you seek him for your life, know he will faithfully keep you in the palm of his hand.

Are you still clinging to the plan you think should come forth? Or are you trusting God to guide you into his plan?

January 6

Dwelling in Gut-Level Trust

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil…thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

PSALM 23:4 KJV

There’s a dim light now. I still don’t know where we are going or what I am to do. But when I trust my God to lead me down the path of righteousness, I don’t care where he takes me. God will lead me where he wants me. He will provide the job he wants for me. He will provide the man he wants for me. He will take care of me and my children along the way, making sure we are all thriving.

Trust. I trust God with all my heart. He alone can bring us out of the darkness. He alone will carry us in his arms when our strength is gone. He will whisper words of peace and love to our broken hearts. He will dry our tears when our hearts are overflowing with grief. God is here. He is waiting for you to trust him so he can do the very same for you. All you must do is lay aside yourself and trust him. Gut-level trust is trust like you’ve never known before. It’s the kind of trust that only happens when you are spiritually in the dark and have nowhere else to turn. No other options. But God doesn’t care. He’s happy to help you whenever you ask. All you need to do is surrender. Surrender yourself to him and let him do the rest. Amazing things will happen. I promise.

What will you choose to trust God with today? Give it to him. Allow him to carry it for you. Let go of the control and keep trusting God each time you think of it.

January 7

God Will Restore...