If you’re in that place of uncertainty, being tossed to and fro likes ships on a sea. Songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman uplifted and encouraged my heart with his song. “Be Still and Know That He is God.” I pray it does for you what it did for me. Be still and know that He is God Be still and know that He is holy Be still, O restless soul of mine Bow before the Prince of peace

Let the noise and clamor cease

Be still and know that He is God. Be still and know that He is faithful. Consider all that He has done. Stand in awe and be amazed. And know that He will never change. Be still, Be still, and know that He is God. Be still, and know that He is God. Be still, and know that He is God. Be still; Be speechless. Be still and know that He is God. Be still and know. He is our Father. Come rest your head upon His breast. Listen to the rhythm of His unfailing heart of love. Beating for His little ones. Calling each of us to come. Be still, Be still.

And, right when you thought you were doing God’s perfect will. God showed up and asked you to do something totally different. If you’re like me, that’s the most awkward unsettling place to be. You’re left clueless about the direction God wants you to go in. Nonetheless, with a lot of prayer and seeking His face. God gave you the information you needed on a need to know bases.

During those clueless moments and being in that unsettled place, we learn despite any doubts or questions we had. It was always best to obey GOD and do what he was asking us to do. As for Abraham, God spoke to him in Genesis 22:1-2 “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” God put Abraham to the test.

The most extraordinary thing is when God first called Abraham. He got up and went without hesitation. He obeyed God and was willing to carry out the sacrifice of his son until the angel of the LORD stopped him. God knew all along that He would stop Abraham.

Abraham’s journey was long and challenging, but he always believed that God would provide. Abraham is like many of us. Most of the time, we don’t see the path ahead, but we’re committed to the promises God has put in our hearts.

Nothing can convince us. God’s word doesn’t work. God always keeps His promises. No matter how crazy our life seems, we can trust God through every twist and turn without hesitation because His promises have not only been kept…it has been fulfilled!

Trusting amid affliction is easy when our situations are brief, infrequent, and mild, and our sense of fairness is never violated. Trusting him when our suffering is severe, continuous, or unfair can be problematic.

These conditions require us to exercise our faith. During times of exercising our faith, many people have asked me this question “If God is aware of what we’re going through, and He’s leading and guiding us, why can’t we hear His voice during the most difficult times in our life?” Great question!

Just because we are going through a season of tests. Sometimes, we believe that God is doing nothing. I’m reminded of a quote that I saw on Twitter. This quote will help me answer the question the next time I’m asked. Noah Herrin, twitted, “What would happen if we stopped asking God “why am I going through this?” And start asking: “What are you preparing me for?” I believe we all would understand our purpose through the test we’re facing.

Every test and temptation has a lesson we need to learn. We can’t go through every test expecting the test to be over so quickly. We have to take mental notes and do those things which cause us to draw closer to God during turbulent seasons. We have to give ourselves to reading our bible, listening to podcast, committing ourselves to pray so we can hear God’s voice for our next direction, and being active in our Christian groups. Remain confident. God will not allow anything to happen to you without His permission, and He will not let any “bad thing” happen that will not ultimately bring you more good than destruction. (I Peter 4:12–13).

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10. We know that God truly does live, and He speaks to us. He is the same God who parted the Red Sea, who saved Noah from the flood, who raised the dead, and who led Israel into the promised land. He’s God. He has the power to work miracles in your life, too. He will hear and answer your prayers. He will guide you through life during your lowest moments.

Hold on my brothers and sisters for God’s promises are sure and true. There will be Joy after these things. God is doing a new thing in you. He’s preparing you for your next assignment. Yes, There will be JOY after these things!