MercyMe - Even If (Official Lyric Video)

Back to this song again.  It's really touching my heart and is stirring my soul.  Again as I was driving, this song played on the radio.  And again, it made me connect with the Lord.  I thought to myself how very far I am from this trust, this peace that comes from believing God can change circumstances, but sometimes chooses not to because  it is far better for me when the answer is "no."

And so I prayed.  Lord, help me to get to that place.  1 Thessalonians 5:18  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  James 1:2-4  Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:  12   God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation.  Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promises to those who love Him.  Search through the Psalms. Time and time again we see the authors lamenting their circumstances, yet staying in faith and praising the Lord for His goodness, mercy and deliverance.  Oh Lord, help me get there!!

And so it continues.  God's breadcrumbs leading me down the path to maturity.  First I had the Redemption series leading me to pray through the Psalms. Praying through the Psalms is whetting my appetite for living in the valley of peace that the Lord promises for all who will trust Him.  Next was hearing this song on the radio yesterday and now thirdly was Joyce Meyer teaching on resting in God.  As I was contemplating being in His rest, the Holy Spirit brought to mind the words from Hebrews 3 and 4.  You certainly should read the whole chapters (book....) but I just want to share a few of the verses.  Chapter 3:7-8 That is why the Holy Spirit says, "Today when you hear His voice, don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.  And 4:3a  For only we who believe can enter His rest...

Learning to say, "It is well with my soul."  I trust You Lord.  I praise You Lord"  through all the ups and downs, disappointments, hurts, and hard places of life is not easy.  But it is the only way to the abundant life Jesus died to give us.  We must believe.  We must trust.  Not relying on feelings but on faith.  And so we can sing "even if You don't, my hope is You alone."   This is the way to joy, to peace and remaining rested in the Lord even in the eye of the storm.

 Isaiah 26:3  You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Lord, lead me to this place.


Lord, You know I, like so many struggle to stay positive and praising when things don't go my way. When my prayers to get answered the way I want, when You say no.  But I so want to trust, so want to be a good witness, especially when I hurt, when I don't like the way things are.  Lord, help me to be this person---help me to worship when I am hurting, to speak thanks when I want to complain. Help me to see You have a better plan, that Your love never fails even when i don't like the things I have to go through, when circumstances don't change and I have to walk through the hard, desolate wilderness.  keep my eyes focused on You and my heart focused on Your loving goodness.  I pray this not just for me, but for all who read these words.  Your joy is our strength.

Today, try to praise and give thanks when things aren't as you want them to be.