Listen:
“Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Reflect:
Reflection: Unshakable Confidence
Unexpected interruptions and troubles around the world are hitting us like hurricanes making landfalls. The twists and turns of the unforeseen and unwanted toss us to the point of giddiness. They are threatening to rock how we view ourselves and chip away at our identity as sons and daughters of the Almighty God if we permit it. Life’s turmoils and challenges can begin to erode our confidence in who we are in Christ.
In the struggles and raging storms of life, our faith is the first thing to take a beating. My heart tugged with pain and compassion as my sons discussed their distress at the continued threats posed by the colour of their skin. My sons were born in Nigeria, raised in Switzerland and went to American universities. They wondered if their lives matter in a world where they believe God created them to make a resounding difference. What they are seeing, hearing and have experienced shook their faith and their confidence in their God-given identity.
I recalled when David was in great distress hiding in the cave from Saul, who sought after him to kill him. Amid the raging storms of adversity unfurling around him, David fixed his gaze on the truth of who God is (Psalm 57).
I know that David’s confidence was founded on his knowledge and understanding of God’s attributes. Therefore, if my sons’ hearts remained fixed, steadfast and unwavering on God and His Truth, they would confidently say like David; “In the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge and be confidently secured until the calamities blow over.”
It is only in God we stand unmoved and unshakable in the storms of life that question our identity and the dignity God conferred on us as people created in His image. I charged my sons to fix their focus on God and His truth.
Let nothing move you or turn you aside from your faith in the infallibility of God’s truth and promises.
Prayer of response:
“Heavenly Father, in these challenging times, we ask that You will cause Your grace to abound to us to keep us anchored on Your truth and promises. Our eyes are You. Teach us to see one another as people You have conferred with the dignity of Your image.”
—Submitted by Irene Olumese
Irene is a lung transplant survivor, a bilateral amputee, and a living proof of God’s grace. She is the Founder of the Feet of Grace Foundation, which raises funds to provide prosthetic rehabilitation to indigene amputees. Irene speaks and writes to inspire hope for those going through life’s adversities. She lives in Geneva, Switzerland, with her husband, Peter, and their two adult sons.
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