18

December

Theological moorings vs. the winds of adversity

“But we easily lose our theological moorings when we insist on living horizontally.  When we do, the winds of adversity cause us to drift from what we truly believe.  How much better to choose a response of faith that submits to God’s sovereign will, yielding to His gracious purposes in both giving and taking away those things and people we hold dear.”- Charles Swindoll

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.”- Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)

As Charles Swindoll continues Chapter 2 of What If . . . God Has Other Plans? he stresses that Job place his life priorities in the supernatural, not the natural.  And in the invisible, not the visible.  That, Pastor Swindoll asserts, shows the power of biblical theology.  Especially in times of trouble, God’s Word keeps us thinking rightly about God and ourselves.

Above all, four principles emerge from Job’s story that help prepare us for our own what-if experiences.  Pastor Swindoll covers the first two today.

1.  Everything starts with what kind of person you are.  Focus on self results in losses detrimental to your walk with God.  Also, those losses capsize your fragile faith.  Instead, view your loss as an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of God.  Then you’ll see the divine purpose in allowing you to go through your pain.

But, stability doesn’t arrive overnight.  Rather, you prepare for life’s blows as you slowly and methodically equip yourself with God’s Word.

 2.  God knows all about your future.  God not only goes before you, He knows what lies ahead of you.  In addition, God’s Word sustains our focus on that truth.  As James 4:14 reminds us, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?  Your life is like the morning fog — it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.”

Today’s question: What Scriptures undergird your theological moorings?  Please share.

Tomorrow’s blog: “When God pries your fingers open”

About the author 

Dave Henning

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