Look at God
- Jul 9
- 4 min read
Sometimes God doesn't change our situation first... He changes our perspective
Last night my husband and I drove all around the city doing Uber Eats deliveries. We were exhausted by the end of it, but we made almost $300 in about 9 hours. Honestly... it gave me hope. It reminded me that the Lord can make this little side hustle work. We can do this. We can pay our bills, start saving, and make it work.
But then...
This morning I woke up to what sounded like a mini fountain. As I opened my bathroom door, there was a hole in my ceiling and water was pouring down like it had been waiting for me to shower in it.
I have this tendency to brush off stressful situations. I'll laugh and say something like, "Lord... this is NOT the overflow I've been praying for."
But eventually, I feel it. The tension.The pressure in my chest.Like it wants to burst. Normally, that's when I grab my phone and scroll until I feel numb. But today... Today I put the phone down and picked up my prayer journal instead.
I wrote:
"Lord, today is one of those days where it feels like I'm walking toward my breakthrough... and then life comes and slaps me in the face trying to break me. But God, You are good ALL THE TIME. Your goodness does not depend on my situation. Frustration may come, but in the name of Jesus, it can't stay. I'm too blessed to be stressed."
Then my husband asked me to help him clean up the drywall that had fallen from my ceiling.
When I came back to my journal, I laughed and said,
"Okay God... but can I just be real for a minute?"
So I did. I ranted.I poured out my frustrations.I let my feelings hit the page. And honestly... It helped.
A little.
But then I did what I should've done from the very beginning. I opened His Word.
And...
I know you can't see me right now, but I'm smiling while hearing Chandler Moore sing, "God, I'm just grateful for You." Because that's exactly how I felt.
I picked up where I had left off in Daniel 2. And my goodness... God revealed, reminded, and spoke exactly what I needed.
Nebuchadnezzar couldn't sleep because his mind was troubled. Immediately I thought about Philippians 4:8, where Paul tells us to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Then God reminded me of another troubled heart. David's. Interestingly enough, it's also chapter 4. "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for You alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." (Psalm 4:8)
How often do we let our minds dwell on our problems instead of God's promises? We replay the issue. We rehearse the worst-case scenario. We ask, "Why am I in this season?"
Nebuchadnezzar was desperate to understand why he was having these dreams. David, on the other hand, chose to declare God's truth despite what he felt.
So in my Nebuchadnezzar moment...
God reminded me of David's mindset.
But He didn't stop there.
When the king asked the astrologers and magicians to reveal the dream, they answered, "...no one can reveal it to the king except the gods, and they do not live among humans." (Daniel 2:11) Oh... but our God does what no one else can. Nothing is impossible for Him.
And not only that... Our God did come to dwell among humans. He put on flesh and walked among us. Only God.
Then I read: "Daniel spoke to him with wisdom and tact." (v.14) And, "Daniel went to the king and asked for time..." (v.16) That ministered to me. Sometimes we don't need to panic. We simply need wisdom for how to face what's in front of us... while having faith that God is already working behind the scenes. Daniel didn't know when God would answer. But he knew God would.
It's not a "Would He?" posture.
It's a "When He does..." posture.
Then came my favorite part.
"During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven..." (v.19) WON'T. HE. DO. IT. And finally, verses 21-22 reminded me who is actually in control. He changes. He deposes. He gives. He reveals. He knows.
So today...
The ceiling still has a hole. The cleanup still has to happen. The repair still needs to be paid for. But my perspective changed.
Because sometimes God doesn't remove the problem first. Sometimes He reminds you who He is first.
And suddenly...
The problem doesn't seem nearly as big.
Only God. 🤍
Prayer
Father, Thank You for meeting us right where we are.
Thank You that Your goodness is never dependent on our circumstances. When life feels overwhelming, remind us that You have not changed. You are still the God who reveals mysteries, gives wisdom, makes a way where there seems to be none, and works all things together for our good.
Forgive us for the moments we run to distractions before we run to You. Teach us to pick up Your Word before we pick up our phones. Give us hearts like David's that choose peace even when life doesn't make sense, and faith like Daniel's that trusts You before the answer ever comes.
Help us exchange a "Would You?" mentality for a "When You do..." kind of faith.
Today, remind us that You still change.You still reveal.You still provide.You still know.And You are still worthy of our praise.
No matter what we're facing today, help us lift our eyes above the problem and look at You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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