Provision

Provision- the act of providing or supplying something for use; an amount or thing supplied or provided

I’ve been hearing, through God’s word, readings and church sermons, about God’s provision and while I know what it means; I’m wondering if my heart truly grasps how wonderful it really is.  There have been many times in my life when I wondered…how?  How am I going to make it through this?  How am I going to be able to support or take care of that?  How am I going to heal and let go of this pain that seems to invade my heart even when I try my best not to let it? 

I will be totally honest and admit that many of those answers have come from my own thoughts and efforts.  I’ve tried to figure it all out myself…even manipulating certain things in ways that I thought would “help” the cause or situation.  I will also be honest and say that many, many of those times I have failed miserably and with much frustration! 

Things right now in my life are not exactly as I have pictured them to be.  There are things I wish I could fix, people I wish I could heal and even past or current situation I wish I could change, with still yet more being added, but I’m attempting to take a step back and recognize all that I have endured and come through already.  I’m realizing that none of it; no good or bad day, no breakthrough or victory has been of my own doing but, instead at the mighty hand of my Heavenly Father.  Philippians 4:19 says ¹⁹ And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. So while everything may not be as I think they should be or as I would like them to be, I do realize I am blessed and have been taken care of more than I will ever truly know.

There are times I am overjoyed to say that when something arises I take it straight to God and leave it there but, sadly, more often than not I took my own chances and ideas for a spin and another spin and another spin and well…. you get the idea.  Many times it’s not until I feel like I’m at my lowest mental, emotional and physical point that I finally realize that I can’t do this through my own will.  It’s then that I come to God humbly asking Him to fix my mess and restore in me what He already gave me in the first place. 

Matthew 6:33 (NLT) ³³ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we learned to take every situation and pain to God in the first place?  I mean He has already made a way; He has already written our victorious story from beginning to end and He’s just waiting for us to walk it out. All we can see is the here and now, so why can’t we trust the one who is the Arthur of our stories?   When I look back over my life and see all the ways that He has made for me and my family…I can’t help but to praise and thank Him, but I also wonder why it sometimes takes me so long to realize it with each situation that arises!?!? With that, I realize that I am a work in progress and as I am seeking His will above my own and I am doing better…day by day.  For that I am truly thankful!

Now, going back to the word Provision…I broke it down from the two words.  Pro-meaning In favor of, supporting; takes the affirmative side in a debate.  Now I think we all know that God is always for us…always supporting and on the best side of our lives.  He truly favors us!  Vision-meaning something that is or has been seen; unusual competence in discernment.  God has more than unusual competence in discernment…He wrote the book on it.  He sees all and knows all, therefore when we trust Him and His provision for our lives we will always come out victorious.  Does it mean it will always be easy, no…of course not.  How can there be growth without some pain and trials…but, because we trust in Him we know it always works out for our good. 

Romans 8:28 (NLT) ²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.