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“My faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior.”
-Oceans, Hillsong United
Life pushes and pulls us in different directions. It’s so easy to lose sight of our Savior and the source of true security, while in a world that seems to feed us a constant stream of false security.
Night after night the tears continued to come. The life I used to be so sure of, was now surely falling apart. The darkness closed in around me and I felt like a girl drowning at sea, grasping for a life guard, reaching for hope…
…yet nothing came.
Often when we are in the midst of our greatest struggles, it seems God has abandoned us.
In the midst of my darkness though, He somehow led me to find the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer.
Even though we can’t see it— in our darkest moments, God is most present. (<====Click to Tweet)
These words painfully awoke my soul to the false security I had rested in for the last 18 years. These words pierced my soul…
“Only faith can sleep without a care. When the disciples were climbing into the boat (Matt 8:23-27), they seemed quite secure. They seemed to have no fear. Why were they secure? They looked at the beautiful, calm sea and were quite at peace and without a care.
But with the rising winds and waves, they lost their peace and became anxious.
Jesus was reportedly asleep.
Only faith can sleep without a care, for sleep is a reminder of paradise; faith has its security in God alone. The disciples could not sleep. Their security was gone. They had nothing to hold on to. Theirs had been a false security that was only fear in a different dress.
Such security does not overcome fear and soon disappears, for fear is overcome only by faith, which leaves behind all false securities, leaves them fallen and broken. Faith does not believe in itself, or in a favorable sea, or in favorable conditions, or in its own power, or in any other human power, but solely, completely in God-whether there are storms or not.
It is the only faith that is not superstition, that does not lead us back into fear,
but rather frees us from fear.”
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer
My entire life had been built on the premise of a false security. A man-made boat had become my foundation, and when the boat began to rock, I fell head-first into the water. I had no grounding to hold me, no rope to cling to.
Little by little, God had to tear down every wall I had built, every belief I’d held close…until there was nothing left but Him.
Those were some of the darkest days I have ever known, and yet I can’t thank God enough for them. God has an amazing way of taking the broken pieces of our lives, and just when all hope seems lost and the path is dark and unknown, He is able to mold us into something entirely different. Something we had never thought of, or imagined.
Although it is always painful to swim through stormy seas, take comfort, for it is in these moments that God is working His greatest work within us.
For, it is in our darkest moments that God is growing our greatest faith. (<====Click to Tweet)
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
–Psalm 18:2 {NIV}
Shared by: Lisa Larson
Photo courtesy of: TruTourism
______________________
Here at God-sized Dreams, we are partial to the song Oceans, by Hillsong United.
It encapsulates the ideas of facing big struggles, turning to Jesus, and the freedom of resting in His embrace.
Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout this month of May,
we’re going to explore these issues as presented through the lyrics of the song.
All posts in the series can be found on the Oceans page.
______________________
Sharon Marshall says
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I loved reading your words this morning, so uplifting. I am currently struggling to let go of fear, I try to keep my eyes above the waves…..it is dark and lonely and scary…..but I work on my faith.
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Kristin Smith says
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Sharon, please know you aren’t alone!! So many of us here have struggled with fear..still struggle!! That is why I love this place – a safe place to come and be honest about our fears and yet give them to God so that they aren’t a stronghold in our lives!! Praying for you! 🙂
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Christine Wright says
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Sharing a similar struggle Sharon. Glad you’re here, friend.
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Sabra Penley says
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I am slowly starting to see the joy that comes from the trial. Only GOD could do that! So very thankful that He redeems even our darkest experiences to bring about His purposes. He is truly amazing! Thanks, Lisa.
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Kristin Smith says
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It takes time doesn’t it friend?! But YES you are right God is amazing!
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Elise Daly Parker says
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Hi Sabra! The book I mentioned was delivered to my home today! I’d love to send you a copy. Just send it through the Contact form. Blessings, Elise
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Elise Daly Parker says
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Oh dear Lisa…You have a way with words and an experience that pierces my heart as my tears fall! Such a poignant picture of faith…you and your words. I think I read Bonhoeffer back in college. It’s time to read him again.
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Jenn Hand says
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Lisa your words are beautiful. This is such a beautiful promise and reminder of faith. It is truth that we can grow so deep in our faith in our darkest times. Thank you so much for sharing. Blessings
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Toni C says
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Yes and amen to every word written here. Lisa I missed this when it was published the other day, but God knew how much I needed to read it today. I feel as if I’m going down for the third time in this present struggle which has been dragging on in one way or another for over a year and has been culminating in the past few weeks. My faith and trust are being tried daily. I can’t imagine not turning to God through it all, but He feels very distant at the moment. In my heart of hearts I know this isn’t true, but I long for it to be over…to be on the other side, looking back to see how His hand worked it all together.
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