No matter how out of control our country appears, our all-powerful, all-knowing, loving, and ever-present God remains on the throne. No one who occupies the Oval Office, fills the Senate, or sits on the Supreme Court’s bench can or will thwart His hope-filled plans for the world or us, His children.

Thanks to Christ and the power He deposited within our souls, we can turn to Him with our most intense doubts, trusting Him to lead us to truth and to deepen our relationship with Him in the process. And as we experience Him in our most anxious and chaotic places, we come to know Him more, which in turn leads to greater trust and decreased fear.

Scripture provides wisdom that, when applied, increases our capacity to act as peacemakers in the most volatile situations. One passage I’ve found helpful and intriguing records the account of a quick-thinking woman named Abigail.

God preserved these words in Scripture so that you and I could live confident in our standing in Christ, secure in our salvation.

Although Scripture records numerous instances when God defended His children from seemingly unconquerable forces, my favorites record when He defeated invading armies first during King Jehoshaphat’s reign, and a century and a half later when Hezekiah occupied the throne. These historical accounts remind me of the immutable grace, might, and faithfulness of the Lord. 

When my world feels uncertain and my circumstances overwhelming, I intentionally bolster my peace by reflecting upon the unchanging attributes of God. The more I understand and contemplate who God is, in all of His vastness, the less frightening my greatest challenges appear.

Scripture assures me He is alert to every danger, present in my crises, the inexhaustible source for all I need, more powerful than my greatest foe, and the Supreme Ruler who always retains full control. What’s more, the Mighty Creator of all that ever has or ever will exist loves You and I with a perfect, fierce, and relentless love. To put it simply, the Commander of heaven’s armies, Yahweh Sabaoth in Hebrew, is for us.

While numerous Bible passages reveal these truths and more, I find particular comfort in the historical accounts that reveal God demonstrating these traits in action.

Photo credit:  ©Getty Images/Bartek Szewczyk

Like many people in the United States, and presumably the world, I grew up in a dysfunctional family. Learning this didn’t bother me nearly as much as the realization decades later that I, in turn, had raised my daughter in a dysfunctional environment. For a time, I felt stuck. How could I change patterns of behavior that had not only been modeled and trained, but ingrained? Then, as I turned to Scripture and began reading about the patriarchs like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, I felt intrigued. But when I reached the account of a prideful teenager turned humble slave turned Egyptian leader in Genesis 37-50, I became inspired by the transformative grace it highlights.

Here are four truths Joseph’s story reveals regarding breaking dysfunctional family cycles.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/KarenHBlack

As a wife and mom, there’ve been numerous instances when I’ve wished I could go back in time and do or say things differently. I’ve experienced similar sorrows related to ministry and career endeavors as well. Sometimes, my regrets came after proceeding in a way I falsely assumed was best. Most often, however, my remorse came from responding from my emotional, rather than Spirit-led, self. While sadly, I can’t undo the damage of my unfiltered actions, grace assures me that I can learn to behave differently in the future.

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “God is the God of second chances.” We see examples of this comforting truth throughout Scripture. These historical accounts provide encouragement for those of us longing to break free from toxic guilt and live more fully anchored in grace.

Here are three biblical examples of divinely orchestrated do-overs, and what they reveal regarding God’s heart for our transformation journeys. 

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/GordonImages

Throughout his letters, the evangelist taught many important lessons and spoke powerful, life-changing truths. He encouraged, inspired, and corrected. But most importantly, he routinely turned to God.

Scripture provides faith-bolstering truths I can reflect upon when the task ahead feels daunting and unsure. I find the passages surrounding ancient Israel’s return from exile particularly inspiring. Perhaps you will as well.

Some of my biggest regrets stem from not responding to friends’ and family members’ pain with the compassion and support they needed. Unfortunately, there’ve been times when I’ve attempted to “fix” a situation rather than simply remaining present. The problem is, when I focus on solutions, I tend to feed my pride and form inaccurate assumptions. Worse, such behavior usually causes the other person to feel judged, unheard, and likely, alone.

Perhaps this is why I’m so intrigued by Job’s friends in the book of Job. I find their words and conclusions convicting, not because of their accuracy, but rather, what they reveal within me.

Maybe you can relate? Many of us long to love like Jesus but, sadly, find ourselves acting like Job’s friend’s Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.

Here are four lessons we can learn from Job’s friends.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/PeopleImages

Ultimately, He told us to pick up our cross, to yield our entire lives, Netflix, Facebook, and all, to Him, that He might live and love through us.