Finishing the Race

Fear Our Needs Won’t Be Met

During my medical leave of absence, I had some serious decisions to make in regards to protecting my health. Quitting my job was one of them. Since we were a two-income family, only having one income was unsettling. The thoughts, “Take heart, take courage and finish the task,” from scriptures in Zechariah and Haggai kept coming to mind. I knew in my heart this was my season to complete Finishing the Race as I focused on getting well. In addition, it was my season to trust God to provide for all my needs.

When I was working, I was responsible for the mortgage, cell phone, and my personal care. Now unemployed, I logically couldn’t figure out how I was going to meet all my obligations, so I put my spending on lock-down and had to trust God to help me for the rest. The first month on medical leave, without anyone knowing my financial situation, I was given:

• $1000 gift from a family friend, and I put it towards the mortgage payment
• $1000 gift from family for my supplements

These gifts became the catalyst for me to trust that God would meet my needs, spoken and unspoken. At the same time, God wanted to reassure me of His provision and led me to this promise:

“Don’t worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you all you need from day to day if you make the kingdom of God your primary concern. So don’t be afraid little flock (You and I). For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the kingdom.”
Luke 12:29b-32 NLT

Provision from heaven comes in many forms:  time, money, gifts, discounts, free services, opportunities…I’m sure you can add more to this list. Every time I receive an unexpected gift, and because I live by the principle “every good gift comes from the Father above,” I am in awe! With appreciation, I want to share three incidences of God’s provision for my day-to-day necessities.

I admit I am selective on the products I use on my hair and body for various reasons. I was literally two days from depleting my body lotion, and I unexpectedly received a generous gift bag in the mail filled with products from the company I buy my lotion from.

When my shampoo was almost out, my daughter came home with a bottle of shampoo from California that was perfect for extending the life of my hair color. Trying not to get anxious when that bottle was running out, at my next haircut appointment, my hairdresser coaxed me in the backroom with my former manicurist. Those beautiful ladies presented me with a very generous gift basket loaded with high-end hair care products and more.

I get frustrated with myself because my human nature still wants to lean towards worrying about how and when my needs are going to be provided for. When those thoughts come, Pastor Dale Crall taught me not to speculate how I think God is going to provide. Instead, God reminds me of Luke 12 and then in His perfect timing He works out His provision for me.

Even more to my amazement, God didn’t provide me with a .99-cent shampoo but with good quality products. He does not stop there either. He continually proves His love to me and encourages me by sending dear friends or family to randomly shower me with gifts, such as jewelry, flowers, or candles. And not one bouquet of flowers, but one friend brought me seven bouquets of flowers at one time!

There are so many more blessings of provision I could share with you. However, the heartfelt message I am receiving from my Heavenly Father is how much He wants to provide for all my needs and more. He shows His generous love not only with the necessities in life, but also with things I did not ask for like flowers and jewelry.

 “I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are discouraged take heart.
Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears…
Those who honor him will have all they need…
Those who trust in the Lord will never lack any good thing.”
Psalm 34:1-4,9b,10b NLT

God always has our best interest at heart. He communicates His promise to protect and provide for us in His Word. We have the power to overcome our fears and the challenges life brings, as we refocus our thoughts on His promises and not zero in on our fears. Our fears may be real or an illusion, however, when we focus on what God says He will do for us—He will do it.

Sometimes we may need to wait longer than we think we should, but in the end—God’s timing is impeccable. Patience is a long-term friend not an enemy. Give yourself the gift of courage and take a step in faith as you choose to stop partnering with fear and partner with truth.

“I’ll make every Word I give you come true.” Jeremiah 1:12b MSG

Blessings to your mind, body, and spirit!