When our five-year plan became the right-now plan, instead of looking forward, I looked back.
All those years ago, God was faithful to bring us an apartment, a midwife, and a church within a week of arriving Pennsylvania.
All those years ago, God was faithful to provide for us when Josh was laid off.
All those years ago, God was faithful to take care of us through the hands and feet of our local friends when I broke my leg, had surgery and was in a wheelchair for two months.
All those years ago, God was faithful to miraculously sell our house in town and bring us Willows Bend Farm, where there would be buildings for the future EWAT warehouse we didn't know we would need.
All those years ago… time and time again.
People question whether it's worth it to pray or follow God if your circumstances don't change. But our trust is not in changed circumstances. Jesus PROMISED we would suffer: “In this world, you will have trouble - but take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
Our trust, then, is not in what God DOES but who God IS.
God is faithful. His faithfulness is what I fix my eyes upon, my heart upon, my will upon.
As we walk through a new season that is difficult in different ways, instead of looking down (fear) or forward (anxiety) or to the right and left (comparison) - I look back. God was faithful. He has not changed. No one else is responsible to save me out of this situation, to make me feel better about it, or to equip me for it. I am centered in His faithfulness, and anything else I get from anyone else is just whipped cream on top.
The contentment and strength and rejoicing are found here, in the overcoming faithfulness of God.