Realizing that God isn't against me

God has been speaking to me, trying to get my attention.  The song "You Make Me Brave" by Bethel  Music has been playing on repeat for over a week now.  Then on Sunday, my church sang the song.  It was basically the backdrop of what my pastor was going to be speaking on. Obviously, God was wanting me to take the lyrics seriously.  He wanted me capture what He was saying to my heart. 

The words from the chorus are the following: 
As Your love, in wave after wave
Crashes over me, crashes over me
For You are for us
You are not against us
Champion of Heaven
You made a way for all to enter in
Read more: Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave Lyrics | MetroLyrics : 

I hear those words and know why God wants me to take them to heart.  I've been feeling like people or things are against me, that no one is on my side.  It sounds silly to say, very middle school ish.  But when I keep saying yes to children and I don't get picked, I begin to wonder why.  Is it me?  Is it because I need daycare?  Is it because I'm not a stay at home mom?  Is it because I'm not married?  All of these things are outside of my control.  I can't just change them over night.  And with the foster care redesign happening in Texas, I don't know what is going on... It is all leaving me feeling a bit like last place.  Like the kid no one wants on their  team.  

Then I hear the words "For You are for us, You are not against us. Champion of Heaven..." God whispers in my ear, "I'm for you!  I'm on your side! You are doing exactly what I've asked of you."  And I fall apart.  Tears come to my eyes every time.  For some reason, it is hard for me to always believe that the Champion of Heaven, the One who died for me, is always on my side.  He wants to see me grow and live life to the fullest.  He wants me to listen to the truth of His love and not to the lies that say "You are not good enough."  The truth that His love and redemption are all I need.  

After those words sink in, the bridge of the song kicks in.  

You make me brave
You make me brave
You call me out beyond the shore into the waves
You make me brave
You make me brave
No fear can hinder now the love that made a way

Read more: Bethel Music - You Make Me Brave Lyrics | MetroLyrics 


God makes me brave.  It is His strength in which I live and love, not my own.  He makes me brave enough to open my home to hurting children. I don't need to be afraid of anything.  He will give me what I need, when I need it.  Every time I'm given another child, He is giving me the opportunity to step beyond the shore line into the deeper waters.  Even when the waves are crashing over me, I don't need to fear. He is with me.  His love would never abandon me. Being a foster parent is scary hard at times. But every time I hear this song, I will be reminded that God is for me.  He isn't fighting against me trying to make my life harder. He loves me. Even when He is calling me to try something different to take a step of faith, He will  hold my hand along the way. He won't leave me alone.

I don't feel like I'm conveying well enough the peace that comes with knowing that the Almighty Creator, the Savior of the world is on my side!  It is an amazing thought!  

Maybe you are feeling overwhelmed with the struggles of this life and you aren't so sure that God is even there.  He is here with you, even now.  The very fact that the words that you are reading are touching some deep place in your heart shows that God is whispering to you "I'm right here.  I'm for you.  I love you."  Let the Holy Spirit speak to you the words you need to hear.  Invite Him into the pain you are experiencing.  He won't let you down.  

This Sunday is Orphan Sunday.  To all my foster and adoptive friends out there, thank you for your love and service to the least of these.  I hope you will find peace and joy in knowing that God will give you the love that you need for the little ones in your life.  That He will take away the fear of the unknowns and replace it with His perfect love.  If you know a foster or adoptive family, this Sunday make a point to hug them.  Ask God how you can bless them. And then ask God how He wants you to serve the hurting children.  

Finally, if you haven't heard song "You Make Me Brave", look it up.  Listen to it a few times. Let the truth of the words penetrate your mind until you believe its truth.  :)