Not If, But When

 

 

One word stuck out: when.

“For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock….at his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.” Psalm 27:5,6

Yep…the Bible definitely says when, not if.

So I have to stop having the mentality “when we just get passed this one” when it comes to my trials. Because when we get passed this one, there will be another. And another. And another.

That’s just the way life on this planet works.

Now the good news: when the trouble comes, we can find our safe place in Him, not to escape the storm, but to be secure until this one passes.

We can help hold each other up during the storm; come alongside instead of criticize.

Are you in a storm today? Me too! How can I pray for you?

Lynn

27 Comments

  1. I’m finding this parenting a young adult extremely difficult. I want to have joy now and not wait until “whatever” has passed. I’m trying to live fully right now

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      It is extremely difficult, Denise. My mom used to say “When they are little they are a handful and when they’re older they are a heartful.”

      This weekend I read “The Beauty of Broken” By Elisa Morgan. It is so helping me to see what you just said. We have to keep on living no matter what the storms look like. This is life and Jesus can help us find His life in the middle of it all!

  2. Megan Reddy says:

    How can I pray for you? was such a welcome question this morning after a sleepless night. My thoughts were on all my worries and my fears all night. A husband who is deep in depression, a marriage that seems to be failing, a13 son who is very angry, a rebellous 17 year old who’s been lying to us over and over, money seems never enough and we’re deep in debt, I’m falling apart. Please pray for me.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Dear Jesus, Megan is falling apart. How comforting it is to know that when we reach this place, this place that many of us are at or will be if we aren’t now, YOU are there. There to hold us, pick us up and reassure us, YOU’VE got this. Wrap Your arms of encouragement around Megan. Give her wisdom and strength and step in and reach those she loves dearly. Amen

  3. What a wonderful post. Please pray for my boys’ salvation. I have four adopted children. My boys are 16 and 17 and need Jesus desperately. My heart aches daily, but try to fight anxiety as it creeps in. Thank you, precious friend.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Thank you for sharing!

      Jesus, the greatest desire of our hearts is for our children to know you. For some, the process appears so easy. For others, it is a fight. Help us to keep building the foundation so when the time comes and they say “yes” to you, they have something to refer back to. Devise a plan to bring them to You, Father. Amen

  4. Building a house and builder hasn’t told us when the completion date is yet. Plus the issues that pop up with that. I keep wondering if maybe God has that happening for a reason. I have 17 years of “stuff” to pack from 5 people with little help in doing it. So far behind. At some point I need to get the house “ready” to sell and get on market. Which needs to be soon to hit the people wanting to be close to the schools which are in walking distance. I’m drowning. Oh and my husband just left for 2 weeks for his annual training obligation for the military. I know this isn’t life threatening, etc, but it’s a huge stress I’m dealing with which feels very unsuccessful at the moment. I’ve been praying but my one day at a time to do what I can doesn’t seem to be enough to knock out my “mountain”.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Lord, would you give Amy just one step for today? Clearly show her what she can do today to get ready. When that is completed, give her just one step more. Help her to delegate. Send help to come alongside her. Give her peace. Amen

      1. Thank you for taking the time to pray for me. I can feel it helping.

  5. How timely this message was today! My husband and his brother have a family-owned business in a small town that was turned over to them by their parents some years back. Their parents are in their 80’s and both in very poor health. Both parents are very hard of hearing also. They continue to come to the business each day and their mother still tries to control all aspects of the business. She appears to be in early stages of Dementia or Alzhiemer’s, but will not admit that she is forgetful. She is quite hot-tempered and contrary and can barely walk. The boys spend most of their day tending to their parents in lieu of running the business. They have been controlled for so long that they hesitate to branch out and try new things to help the business prosper. Sadly, the only way out for them is if their parents are placed in a nursing home or pass away and no one wishes that on a person. I have prayed for my husband for so long and it breaks my heart to see the stress it has placed on him and his brother. If this continues, I fear the business will go under. This is a trial that just won’t seem to pass and I can’t take his pain and stress away.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Jesus, you command us to honor our parents, but sometimes we don’t know what that looks like. You promise us in James that if we lack wisdom you will bring it. We trust you and believe You will bring wisdom to these men. Help them to honor their parents and make the right choices for the business too. They need You Jesus. Bring your strength. Amen

      1. When my husband came home from work yesterday, he seemed more at peace, and at the time, I didn’t know you had posted this. Thank you for your prayers for all of us. I know God hears every one of them and somethimes it helps for others to intercede for us when we grow weary. God Bless you!

  6. my daughter and her best friend both have scoliosis (curvature of the spine) – the friend has recently had surgery to place steel rods in her back to correct the curve. we have opted to go a non-traditional route for treatment. since I saw the pictures of the incision and heard the story of the pain this girl had post-op and thinking of how her life has been changed with these rods, and knowing that my daughter could face that same thing, I have been battling fear and anxiety. I know these are from Satan. but the thoughts swirling through my mind – are we doing the right thing? are we causing more harm in the long run? she is not in pain but the curve is ‘significant’. praying for healing for my daughter but then struggle with the potential guilt if she is healed and her friend wasn’t. thank you for praying.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Cindy, in my His Revolutionary Love conferences, I share a video of my daughter’s best friend who went through this exact surgery. Her faith has skyrocketed as a result. She is now a gorgeous, confident girl who discovered Jesus was everything He said He was when she went through it. Here is the link to the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCj7Ps7V4rY

      Jesus, bring your healing. In whatever way You see fit, straighten this spine. Bring confidence in your healing hand and bring this miracle. Amen

  7. Lynn this message is certainly GodTimed for my family. We have a 15 yr old daughter who is suffering with depression and on Friday morning I received a phone call at work from her telling me she was so sorry, but she had swallowed half a bottle of pain medication. By the grace of God she is physically okay, and still in our care. I fear her being admitted to the hospital because the doctors there do not try to reach her through Godly ways, but they want to make sure she knows her rights and what society can offer. We do have her under the care of a wonderful Christian counsellor who she trusts and feels comfortable around. Please pray for strength, patience, perseverance, trust, discernment, peace and joy during this time. Please also pray for our older daughter who is 20 and is struggling to deal with this on her own. She does not have a personal relationship with God yet. Our 15 yr old used to have a relationship with God, but has been bullied so much that she is not sure about Him anymore. Please pray that God’s voice will become louder in both their lives and will drown out Satan’s voice.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Jesus, you created these precious girls. Girls that have everything in them to come to their fullest potential in you. Defeat the enemy, Lord. Send your most powerful angels to do warfare on their behalf and win! Soften their hearts. Send others who will speak loving truth to their hearts and cause them to soak it in. You are the victorious One, Jesus. We trust you. We have to. We don’t have any other options. Thankfully, you are all we need. Amen

  8. My 18 yr old daughter found out last week she is pregnant. She is only 5 weeks. The guy she really had only known a few months and he wants no part. She had a suicide attempt earlier this year after my mom died. She also has a seizure disorder. I’m worried about the meds she takes. She professes to be a Christian but is very morally misguided. My sons 24, and 22 are both lost. My husband has a progressive neurological disorder which led to bankruptcy due to medical bills.

    Please pray for us to know and accept God’s will in all these areas

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Jesus, as women who desperately love our families, some days we just don’t know what to do next. Our hearts break from things that spin out of our control.These things are no surprise to you, King Jesus. No matter how things appear, YOU are writing our stories, each and every day. Were we to write them, they would look differently. But we still trust, You know what you are doing, for our good and your glory. These are not just words we say, Lord. They are the desperate cries from mamas who love you and love our families. Give us the supernatural strength we need to get through this day, loving You and truly loving those You have given to our care. You are faithful. Amen

  9. Like the emails before me, I am struggling with family issues. My 17 year old son has been diagnosed with three mental disorders. There have been thoughts of suicide, much depression and anxiety and self harm. Before we found out about this, he reached out to God and yelled to Him for help. But in my son’s eyes, God did not answer. So now he does not believe. This is a constant battle for his mental and spiritual health. We are constantly vigilant to his moods and it is exhausting. It is tearing away at our family and marriage. He was once a beautiful, happy and loving boy. But he is so lost. Please pray for him and our family. We are losing strength and hope but not faith.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Jesus, nothing, not even Cherrie’s troubles are too big for the God who created this young man. You know how his brain and emotions are wired and you know how to heal him. Help us to remember that in our brokenness, you can use these things to bind us together. You can use our pain to shine Your light through our cracks. Empower this family to pull together instead of apart. That’s Your heart, Jesus! Amen

  10. Thanks for this today, Lynn! You are a Light and shine HIS very bright!! Needed to hear this. xx.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      You are so sweet, friend! Thank you for your encouragement!

  11. Megan Faultner says:

    Thank you so much for allowing yourself to be used by God sharing these beautiful truths! Thank you for extending an offer of prayer for whatever we may be facing today as well. If I could ask, please be in prayer for my family and I to make the right decision about what God is calling me to do in the toughest situation I have faced in life. Please pray for Him to work out the exact details and for Him to use it for His glory. I have felt Him telling me the last couple of days that He wants to use this for His glory, that He has a purpose. Please pray for complete healing and for His exact will to be done for my family and I, hearing His plans and trusting Him even when it’s scary, following His plans. Thank you so very much.

    Megan

  12. Francesca says:

    I am hoping Jesus will help my daughter get the help she needs. She is in a desperate situation right now and expects my family to solve her problems again. She needs therapy and I got her that help. Please pray that she continue with the therapy with honesty and finally resolves her issues and get direction and clarity for he decision she will have to make. Thank you so much Please pray for her Lynn.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Dear Jesus, you see the core of the healing Francesa’s daughter needs. Please bring her to the point of where she is desperate for You and will want to be healed. Draw her to You, Jesus. Amen

  13. Please pray that my husband comes to The Lord he left me and his 4 children the youngest 16 he took all of my personal belongings , everything broke mirrors in the house so horrific just 2 days after I anointed with ill all window and entry’s to this home, satan I command you to release my husband, I still love him, he did scare me now I have a restrainging order on him and he’s running from recieving it , I’m am confused I know what ever happenens god will take care. Of me and my children he’s left me no money an a terrible position, I want him back He’s MY HUSBAND ,I did thing to and only god can heal us please please lord bring him back I pray, … Keep him safe in Jesus name amen
    Thank you for this site there is so many good people out there and just a crack, is all that needed I miss him so much……. So sad and lonely it’s been 3week and we’re married 27 years…….. So lost.

    1. Lynn Cowell says:

      Donna, I am so very sorry! Jesus, please bring your miraculous to every member of this family. You can heal us, Lord, completely, inside and out. We ask this in Jesus’ name! Amen

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