God Knows

“You never did tell me why you made that decision,” he said quietly, completely out of the blue.  I stared at him in disbelief.  Was I hearing correctly? The decision he was talking about wasn’t something new, in fact it was quite a while back.  Why bring it up now?

For just a moment the old anger, hurt and resentment rose up inside.   The reasons and explanation regarding my decision had all been explained, discussed, dissected and discarded by others as trivial, including him.  Did I want to even try to explain again? Yet, I wanted to be understood.  I wanted to know that somebody saw my side. I wanted validation that my decision was the right one.

“The innate desire to defend myself battled fiercely with the voice of the holy spirit speaking softly to my heart.

“Be still, the battle is not yours.”

I sat quietly, almost frozen in that moment for what seemed like a long time but in reality was only seconds.  Why is it that I have trouble remembering this?  I often try to fight my own battles and end up with unnecessary battle scars in the process.  Why can’t I just automatically trust God to fight my battles?  As I thought about it, the answer was not really complicated.  I want immediate justice, validation, perfect endings with no loose ends.  But unfortunately, life is not perfect and often not fair…

Then finally, almost unconsciously two words came softly out of my mouth, “God knows.”

I said it again more assertively, “God knows.”

As I said it, I sat back with a sigh of relief.  I gave the desire to be understood to God. 

 The Lord is watching everywhere,
      keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Proverbs 15:3 NLT

Truly God does know.  Nothing we do is a surprise to him.   

God knows the whole matter.

God knows what was said and what was done.

God knows who’s wrong and who’s right.

God knows my side, your side, their side and the unbiased truth.

God knows the back story that no one else is privy to.  He knows the heart of a matter.

Some decisions that we make will never make sense in the natural. There will always be those who feel that they are more qualified to make decisions about our lives than we are.   Often our decisions may be second guessed and dissected.  However the important thing to know is that you make your life decisions after much prayer and communication with God. 

 ⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;

      do not depend on your own understanding.  ⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
      and he will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)      

The true measure of a woman shows when she allows God’s peace to fill her heart even in the midst of difficult situations.  It shines forth in her trust and confidence in God.  

Trusting Him,
 ~Bernadine~

I wrote this article for Sanctified Together a couple of years ago and decided to share it here after a recent conversation with a friend.  I needed a little reminder that, God knows!

The God Interviews Book Review

I was happy when I was offered the opportunity to review a copy of the God Interviews by Julie Allyson-Ieron.  It’s just the type of book that I enjoy digging into.  Many of the questions that are addressed in the book are actually questions that I would ask God if he was my captive audience.

Julie Allyson Ieron’s book The God Interviews Questions You Would Ask; Answers God Gives is a book designed to answer some of the most common and often heartfelt questions people often ask God. This book is set up in a style (as the name implies) in which God is actually in studio being interviewed and asked some rather tough questions.  In some cases women whose name reflected the pain of their questions called in to put their questions to the creator.

Disgruntled in Delaware wanted to know, “Why did you make me the way I am?”

Flummoxed asked, “Why have you allowed bad things into my life?”

Weeping in Westdale asked, “Why do answers take so long?”

I was impressed by the way Julie Allyson-Ieron wove the fictional interviews with God into this book based on scripture. I found much to think about as I read through the book.  What I also liked was the fact that although the interviews were fictional, after each segment the author adeptly ties in scripture instead of taking creative liberties with the answers.

I would highly recommend this book. This is also one that I will place on my reread list.

Trusting Him,
~Bernadine~