it's okay to not understand

I believe that one of the things that hold people back from having a relationship with Christ is the feeling that they for some reason think they have to understand everything. I would even say this is something all believers struggle with. It can be really hard sometimes to not have an idea what is going on in your life and the plan that God has for you. 

Trust me, I have been there more times than not. I feel like there have been so many seasons in my life where I know that God has a plan for me but I have no idea what that plan is. Same with what God is trying to teach me. I know there are lessons out there for me and things to learn but sometimes I just can't figure it out. 

The most recent question that I have had for God is something I have been praying about since the summer. Everyday I ask him what is he is trying to teach me because I still don't understand. 

If I was a betting man, I would say that there are people who are going to read this who are thinking the same thing. 

I was encouraged by Daniel this morning when I was spending some time in Daniel chapter 8. My hope is that you will be encouraged as well. 

I have been spending the past few weeks in the book of Daniel and one of the many things that has been the most eye opening is the discernment and understanding that Daniel always seemed to have. Whether it was interpreting the dreams and visions of kings, or facing challenges like being thrown into the fiery furnace or the lions den, Daniel always seemed to have an understanding on what was going on and why. In fact, nobody other than Daniel could understand these things. It's amazing! I would encourage you all to dive into the book of Daniel. 

In chapter 8, Daniel had a vision of a Ram and a Goat. I won't go into the details of this vision, but it was so extreme and full of detail that it really troubled Daniel. At the end of Daniel chapter 8 it says: "Then I, Daniel, was overcome and lay sick for several days. Afterwards I got up and performed my duties for the king, but I was greatly troubled by the vision and could not understand it." - Daniel 8:27

Daniel got up, and went on his day with usual. There are going to be many things we are faced with that we don't understand and that is okay! We just have to get back up, and continue to pray for God's favor and that we would understand at some point what God is teaching us. He is faithful and always has a plan for you. 

It's okay to not understand. I hope that encourages you with whatever you are going through right now. 

Why is there so much fear?

Why is there so much fear? Why do we let a couple powerful people in our country say things that causes us to change the way that we live our lives? Why? I certainly don't have an answer. I do think there are a couple sides to this though. Everything you see on your screens, whether it's your phone, computer, or TV can cause fear. We all look at those things a lot, so it's the perfect weapon for the enemy. If you are spending a lot of time out in the real word, and observing how people are living right now, you don't see as much of it. 

This is a little political yes. I used to run away from any type of political topics, but the truth has to be spoken. There isn't time to run away. 

I made my mind up that I am not going to live in fear. I know that God is faithful and has always and forever had a plan for my life. No matter what I have faced, God has always had a plan for me. At my worst of times and my best of times God is faithful. It's never about me, it's about the plan that God has for me. 

I was encouraged in the book of Daniel this morning. Daniel is one of my favorite books in the Bible. The story that encouraged me was the story about the blazing furnace. To summarize the story, King Nebuchadnezzar has issued a mandate that anyone who didn't bow to his golden statue would be thrown into the blazing furnace. There were three guys who didn't bow and their names were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. The King was so furious that they didn't bow to the statue that he had the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual! When the guards through the three men into the furnace, the guards died because of the heat. Once the three were thrown into the furnace, the King saw a fourth walking around in there with them and it was God. The King was astonished and amazed that God has saved the three men. 

There are a few things I want to point out. The first is that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't give into the fear that everyone else had. They weren't going to conform to the world. They understand that their lives were dedicated to God and not man. How often in today's world do we see people doing things just to fit in? People making decisions because they have to and they're fearful of the consequences. I see it daily. 

The second thing I want to point out is that God was with them. The three understood that as well. They had faith that God would rescue them from the fire. Where is our faith? God is omnipresent, meaning he is everywhere all of the time. Yet we fear greatly. 

I have fear. There are things that I have fear about daily. But my faith outweighs my fear. Sure I could be better, I could be way better. I've never been threatened to be thrown in a blazing furnace, yet there are times every day where I have more fear than Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego ever had. I am sure you feel that way too.

I am nowhere close to perfect. That's why I need Jesus in my life. I can't do it alone and I will never be able to do it alone. You can't either. I encourage you to think about the faith and the courage that these three guys had. When everyone was forced to do what the King deemed they should do, those three guys stayed true to who they were. 

My challenge to you is are you going to do the same? Are you going to stand up for what you believe in? Are you going to have faith greater than your fear? Are you going to remember that God is with you? Because he is!! He will never fail us.  

Continue to stand up for the truth.