Your Story Isn't Finished Yet!!!

Sometimes life doesn't make sense...Sometimes God's promises seem impossible...Sometimes storms overshadow hope. Sometimes instead of slaying the "Giant" you feel as though he has picked you up, swallowed you whole, and you're holding on to the back of his uvula for dear life.

In those moments, if you're like me, it's hard to believe GOD is FAITHFUL!

My husband and I just came out of a period of time like that where havoc bombarded our faith. Trials seemed endless. We experienced the dark night of the soul and wondered if we would make it through.

Ever been there? Ever wondered or questioned, God are you there? Do You still care?

During that difficult season God reminded me of the story of Job and whispered a promise to my spirit, saying: Julie, your story isn't finished yet!!!

I clung desperately to that promise as dark turned darker. I recited the promise over and over when the enemy attacked with feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Friend, today I felt so impressed to remind you that YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET!!!

Consider these reminders from Scripture:

It wasn't enough for Naaman to dip SIX times...God required SEVEN. I wonder what Naaman thought as he looked down. Did his healing seem impossible? Did he think to himself, what am I doing? Will God really heal me?

Did Joshua feel foolish as he marched an entire nation around impenetrable walls? Did he feel insignificant? Did he look for signs of cracks in the foundation and wonder too himself, if he really heard God's instructions the sixth time around the enemies camp, when none appeared?

Or, how about Noah? Did he grow tired of the constant jeering and persecution? When the sun continued to shine brightly and burned against his skin, did he ever feel like putting up the hammer or burning down the gopher-wood arc?

I love considering our forefathers stories of faith. They remind me GOD IS FAITHFUL! They remind me that regardless of my circumstances God fulfills His promises. I believe that in the midst of each of these seemingly hopeless situations, God whispered a message of hope. I believe He gently reminded them that He was with them. Though the words may have been different for each one...I believe the underlying truth remained the same...YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET!!!

One of my favorite passages of Scripture, found in Genesis 28:15, says: "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (NIV)

Friend, GOD IS FAITHFUL. And, if you face insurmountable odds today, I want to encourage you...YOUR STORY ISN'T FINISHED YET!

When I went through my dark night of the soul, two key truths helped me:

1. I remembered WHO GOD IS...
2. And, I held tightly to what HE had promised!

Praying that as you do the same, your faith will strengthen and your hope will remain!