Trusting God in an uncertain 2022

"Your balance of $15.83 was less than the $50.00 amount in your alert settings." 

I still remember my reaction when I saw the "$15.83" bank alert appearing across my phone screen; I could feel myself slipping into a depression when I realized I only had less than $20 to last me until my next paycheck. My daughter's father had stopped paying his bi-weekly child support, and I hadn't heard from him in months. Being a sole provider felt like an unfair burden. At the moment, I'm sure you can imagine, I felt highly stressed and overwhelmed. 

How many of you single mommies can relate? It's the start of the year, rent is due, bills are piling up, bill collectors won't stop calling, and you're just wondering how you're going to make it through. Let me tell you there's hope, but it's not in your bank account; it's in Jesus. 

Over the past three years of my single motherhood journey, I've learned to lean on God in unpredictable times. I've endured moments where my bank account dipped into the negatives, my childcare resources dwindled, and I wondered how I was going to provide our next meal. Yet just before I was about to throw in the towel, God showed up and showed out. He continues to provide exceedingly and abundantly above all I could ever ask. 

Do you want to learn to trust God in uncertainty? This easy three-step process is sure to give you peace in the middle of a storm; 

Lay Your Troubles Down 

"Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." (Matthew 11: 28-30)

Raising a child alone is understandably overwhelming. Unlike most parents, you're balancing two roles; Mom and Dad. You're solely responsible for providing food and shelter and still expected to be emotionally present in your child's life. The weight of it all could bring anyone to their knees, but what if I told you wholehearted submission is the best position?  

God's strength is made perfect in our weakness, but before we can tap into it, we must come to a place of total surrender. You must be willing to release your willpower and lay your burdens at His feet. As Matthew 11:28-30 says, you will find rest when you trade your stress and anxiety for His peace.  

Have Faith Without Doubt 

"But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind." (James 1:6) 

It can be challenging to have faith when you're wading through a sea of uncertainty. You may find yourself constantly asking the question, "How am I going to do this?" You can find peace in knowing the Creator of the Universe can do the impossible. 

"Worry ends where faith begins" is one of my favorite quotes. You can't have faith and worry at the same time. You have to make a conscious decision to choose to put your full assurance in God without doubting Him. As James 1:6 says, be sure your faith is in God alone. 

Pray For More

"Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it." (James 4: 2) 

When you're just trying to make it, it's easy to become complacent with "just enough"; that job that has you living paycheck to paycheck, that one-bedroom apartment, that car that makes an awful rattling sound every time you start it. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should despise small beginnings. But why settle for less when God can give you his best? 

As James 4:2 says, you have not because you ask not. I'm a firm believer in the saying "closed mouths don't get fed." You must be willing to pray for more than what you have. God will give you the desires of your heart, as long as they're in line with His will and as long as you ask. 

Sincerely,

The Saved Single Mommy 

Do you want to choose Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life? 

Pray this prayer;  

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin.

Please forgive me.

Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior.

Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life.

In the name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen.