The Victory Is Won

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

Lately I'm realizing exactly how short I fall...

Life is full of ups and downs. Unfortunately, this semester has consisted primarily of downs for me, and every day feels like a hit or miss. It's discouraging, to say the least. So often I've felt like I have to conduct some extensive search in order to find God in all of this. I know and believe with all my heart that God is "...a very present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1). So why is it that I feel completely abandoned instead of rescued?

I've actually had that question answered in several different ways over the past couple of weeks. Too many for just one blog, in fact, so the rest will have to wait. It's one thing to feel abandoned, but another thing entirely to dwell on the feeling of abandonment rather than the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Well I've been dwelling in the wrong place for far too long. Somehow I got comfortable there. But I wasn't called to be comfortable. "For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it." - Romans 8:24-25. I can't always see God immediately in the midst of all this, but I believe He is there. And that gives me all the hope I need.

So back to Romans 3...this entire semester, and attempting to fix everything on my own and stay in control has shown me exactly how short I fall from God's glory. By reminding me how weak I am on my own, He's showing me how perfect He is. When I fall, rather than looking at myself or what I've done to deserve it, I'm learning to look up at my Savior and see His power and strength in comparison to my weakness. And every time I remember to look to Him for help first, I always, always find Him.

I've come to accept this season of my life for what it is: a season. Each and every day I'm being challenged to trust God a little bit more. But I find abundant peace in knowing that God is using this season of my life to make me more like Him. I have nothing to fear, the victory is won.

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33