Don’t Panic, Trust God
Approximately seven years ago I went through a very traumatic divorce. As a result of the divorce, I was left struggling financially. I had an Interior Design business that I had started prior to my divorce, and I simply could not let my dream of having my own Design Business die. I had prepared well for it, by majoring in Interior Design in college and I had even gone through two different internships.
I had wanted this as a career since my 10th-grade year in High School. I just knew that it was a career for me. Unfortunately, there is a price to pay when you are starting your own business, such as long hard work days and many financial sacrifices, not to mention a few sleepless nights here and there.
During the process of my divorce, I moved to another city approximately an hour and a half from where I was living. I got a small 1 bedroom apartment because I knew that I would have to really watch my budget since I had not fully established a clientele yet.
After thinking and praying, I decided to get a part-time job to tide me over until I got paid for some of my design jobs. And oh, did I mention that during this time I had to end up purchasing a new vehicle also. Have you ever heard that when it rains, it pours? Well, I was soaking wet by the time it stopped raining on me!
In my new job, I was blessed to meet some real sweet people, who became my new friends. I was starting to adjust to my new life really well. One of the guys at my new job invited me to attend his church one Sunday and after several visits, I placed my membership there.
Things were starting to look up so I thought. The design connections were starting to happen, but very slowly. I had flyers made, and every day I would drive miles and miles going into the new subdivisions, meeting builders, and putting flyers on brand-new homes to advertise my business. I was definitely putting in the hard work, but the money was not rolling in yet, and what I was making at my part-time job was not as much as I really needed to make ends meet. I had depleted my savings making the move, and making payments on my new car. By the way, this was not a brand-new car, but it was new to me, and in mint condition so I was very thankful.
After a few months, I found myself running late in making my monthly rent payment. I was told that if I could not pay it by a certain date, I would receive an eviction notice. Oh my goodness! I cannot tell you how that felt, because, in my heart, I just knew I was supposed to pursue Interior Design. I remember praying daily asking God to help me find a way to pay my rent. I kept thinking I would be ok if I can just make it through this month.
God did provide my rent, and guess what? He did it in a way that I could do nothing but give Him the glory.
One night very late and actually about my bedtime, someone knocked on my door. I could not imagine who would be coming to my door at that hour. I was not expecting anyone so it was a bit scary. When I went to answer the door it was my mom and dad who lived six hours away making a surprise visit. My dad said that I had really been on his mind for several days, and he thought that they should just get in the car and come to see if I was ok. I must say that I was surprised and happy all at the same time.
As we sat there talking after quite some time, my mom said “Oh, by the way, as we were leaving your Aunt Jimmie came by and asked me to give this to you”. She pulled a white envelope out of her purse and handed it to me. When I opened the envelope it had $400.00 dollars in it, the exact amount that I needed to pay my rent. Look at God! Needless to say, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude that I burst into tears. Only God could have orchestrated this, and may I add that His timing is always perfect. After I pulled myself together, I explained to my parents what was going on. I am thankful that I was blessed to have a dad and mom who walked close enough to God that when He whispered to them, they knew to be obedient and not delay.
Suppose I had panicked and decided to give up on my Interior Design career because life got hard. I would have missed out on what became a very successful twenty-year career. My point in sharing my story is to encourage you that if you are currently struggling in some area, don’t panic. Pray and hold on. Know that God hears your prayers and he sees every tear that falls from your face. When the time is absolutely perfect for you, He will work out the details, and He will show up in ways that you can’t even imagine. It may not be in the time frame that you would like, but He will be right on time. Remember His ways are higher than our ways. He knows what He is doing and it is always what is best for us.
So don’t panic, just pray and trust God. It will be ok!
28 “for in Him we live and move and have our being..”
Acts 17:28
Psalm 112:7
7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:6
6 So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Psalm 91:1-6
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Psalm 112:7
7 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Hebrews 13:6
6 So we say with confidence,“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[a]
Psalm 91:1-6
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
Dedicated to Leading Women to Live Victoriously by Empowering them to Step into Greatness.
