by Amelia Sipress, Associate Director of Ministry Teams @ MBC Loudoun

We’ve all had a friend call us to vent about something that has left them feeling utterly hopeless and discouraged. In fact, I think we’ve all felt this way at one time or another – like everything seems to be against us and nothing is going right. I was reminded of this the other day when I found myself on the phone with a friend who is experiencing this. For a long time, I just listened and didn’t say anything. Then, after some time, I felt a strong urge to encourage.

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

It’s easy to look at the circumstances surrounding us and feel a sense of impending doom. However, God’s word tells us to lean not on our own understanding. I know it’s easy sometimes to focus on the temporary things surrounding us and to interpret the situation as hopeless. That’s just it though – we are called to trust the One who sees the whole picture and to stop making our own interpretations and conclusions. Trust in Him.

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)