Worthy

“Even If” is a reminder to people in difficult situations that don’t seem to go away. God is worthy long before any of those circumstances even showed up. This song is a declaration to God that even if He went silent and never said another word, He’s still worthy to be praised and that He’s our greatest hope in the midst of the trial.” (Bart Millard, MercyMe)

Trusting ther Heavenly Father completely means there is no alternative plan when life takes an unexpected turn to whatever your plans may have been in a certain situation. 

It’s time to give up control to the One who knows you better than you know yourself.  MercyMe’s song “Even If” describes a place we all need to travel to in our relationship with the Almighty. Have you surrendered to t this divine peace?

They say sometimes you win some
Sometimes you lose some
And right now
Right now I'm losing bad

I've stood on this stage
Night after night
Reminding the broken
It'll be alright
But right now
Oh right now I just can't

It's easy to sing
When there's nothing to bring me down
But what will I say
When I'm held to the flame
Like I am right now

I know You're able
And I know You can
Save through the fire
With Your mighty hand
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

They say it only takes a little faith
To move a mountain
Good thing
A little faith is all I have right now

But God when You choose
To leave mountains unmovable
Give me the strength
To be able to sing
It is well with my soul

I know the sorrow
I know the hurt
Would all go away
If You'd just say the word
But even if You don't
My hope is You alone

You've been faithful
You've been good
All of my days
Jesus, I will cling to You
Come what may
‘Cause I know You're able
I know You can
It is well with my soul

Trials always force you to learn what your Heavenly Father needs you to know. Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities. The challenges you face will either defeat you or develop you depending on how you respond to them. God is at work in your life even when you don’t understand it. Make it easy on yourself, and cooperate with Him. Here are five you’re your Heavenly Father wants to use the challenges in your life for good:

“A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials. “(Lucius Annaeus Seneca)

1.   God uses problems to DIRECT you: Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?

"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." (Proverbs 20:30, GNT)

2.   God uses problems to INSPECT you: Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

“Don’t run from tests and hardships, brothers and sisters. As difficult as they are, you will ultimately find joy in them; if you embrace them, your faith will blossom under pressure and teach you true patience as you endure. And true patience brought on by endurance will equip you to complete the long journey and cross the finish line—mature, complete, and wanting nothing. “(James 1:2-4, VOICE)

3.   God uses problems to CORRECT you: Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something ( health, money, and a relationship) by losing it.

“It is a good thing that I was humbled because it helped me learn Your limits. Your teachings are more valuable to me than a fortune in gold and silver.” (Psalm 119:71-72*, VOICE)

4.     God uses problems to PROTECT you: A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious.  

” It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened. “(Genesis 50:20*, ERV)

5.   God uses problems to PERFECT you: When problems are responded to correctly, they are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity.

 ^“And we also have joy with our troubles because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.” (Romans 5:3-4*, ICB)

"Every test in our life makes us bitter or better, every problem comes to break us or make us. The choice is ours whether we become Victim or Victor."  (Anonymous)[i]

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[i] Sources used:

·       “Behind the Song: MercyMe Shares the Heart Behind Their Brand New Single ‘Even If’” by FreeCCMAbby

·        “God's Purpose behind Your Problems” by Rick Warren

 
Dedicated to my wife, Bobbi

Official video of "Even If " https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6fA35Ved-Y