The Stability of God in an Unstable World

As I look out my window, the dismal weather of a Pennsylvania Winter paints most of what I can see, which forces me to focus on the tiny joys. Like a hot cup of coffee and the warmth of a crackling fire. The little things I don’t enjoy as much when the world around me is bursting with color and the sunshine is begging me to be outside enjoying it. Seasons make me think of consistency. Stability. They remind me that in the midst of a changing world, Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter always come and are always the same. It’s as if God purposefully fashioned it that way. Showing us that the Creator of the seasons is also the one who can give our very lives the stability we are searching for. In an unstable world, the stability of God is a sure and firm foundation.

The Security of our Heavenly Father

It’s mind-boggling to think that God watches over us every day of our short lives on Earth. Nothing is as secure as the watchful hand of God. The world does shake us though, doesn’t it? The stability of God is gloriously real and present, but it doesn’t spare us from the brokenness of a decaying world. Or from the purposeful sifting of a sovereign God. So many of us can name countless life events that have rocked us to our cores. Nonetheless, here we are, completely secure in Christ. We are held steadfast through every obstacle and every triumph. We will never be released from the hand of our Almighty God. What a gift to experience. What a testimony to be shared!

Contrary to culture’s message, we can only ever experience this true stability when we look outside ourselves. Not in oblivion but with intention. Taking our eyes off of our own fragility and onto the security of our Heavenly Father. Scripture is filled with countless promises and exhortations to stand firm, not to shift, to remain faithful, and to hold fast. With hearts bent toward Christ and eyes fixed heavenward, the stability of God can be ours. Let’s look at the Scripture that encourages us in this.

The Stability of God: Fueled By Love

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. -2 Thess. 3:5

As a mother, the stability of God has been something I’ve especially been thankful for. Motherhood is a precious rollercoaster. Something changes when I’ve found the ease of a smooth routine. Kids get sick; babies turn into toddlers, big kids push their boundaries, and schedules shift. The security of our Heavenly Father has been an anchor. Unfazed by life’s movement. It’s kept me grounded, covered me in unfailing love, comforted me in sorrow, sanctified me, and strengthened me to keep fighting the good fight. I wouldn’t know where I’d be without it.

2 Thessalonians 3:5 is a prayer I’ve prayed more times than I can count—Lord, direct my heart toward your love and to the steadfastness of Christ. I love that Paul combines the love of God and his steadfastness in this exhortation to the church in Thessalonica. What fueled the steadfastness of Jesus while he was here on Earth? The love of the Father. The stability of God is anchored in love. When we begin to understand this, steadfastness in faith will follow.

The Stability of God: Faithful to the End

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful. -Hebrews 10:23

This verse was originally written to persecuted Jewish Christians who not only feared for their lives but were also under immense pressure to go back to the ease and comfort of Judaism. Reading this must have been a sweet encouragement to them. —Resist every pressure that stands in the way of a true relationship with Him. Be hopeful because God is faithful.

I love the idea of holding fast. I find tremendous comfort in knowing that God is with us for the long haul. Because of the life, death, and glorious resurrection of the Son, the security of our Heavenly Father means that He will be faithful to the very end. We are called to hold fast because God is holding fast to us. As David says, “Be to me a rock of refuge in which I may continually return.” (Psalm 71:3) This is what our God is. An unmoving and unchanging rock and refuge. So when the tranquil waters of life turn into perilous ocean waves that swell and surge around you, remember, “…hold fast the confession of your hope without wavering for he who promised is faithful.” The stability of God, which is grounded in love, is holding you firm.

Scripture That Anchors

We don’t have to look far to find inspiration for unwavering faith. I Imagine that if you’re a Bible-believing Christian, you are also looking to the Word of God. We know that God’s love and faithfulness fill us with hope and ground us in spiritual stability. But we definitely have a part to play! Below, I have included a list of Bible verses that have been a true source of hope and peace. So often I become focused on my own difficult circumstances and fail to recall that God has graciously given me a “sword” to wield when the pressures of life are many.

Really quick, I understand that it’s tempting to see hardship in this world, cover it with a bible verse, and call it a day. However, I believe that this approach is unwise and can cause more harm than good. Let’s carefully steward the treasure of Scripture and use it lovingly rather than to escape the tough stuff.

Closing Thoughts

I pray these verses, no matter how well-known they are, will be deeply cultivated within the fertile ground of your heart. The life experience is a grand paradox. Opposite feelings are simultaneously experienced in the midst of each season. Joy and pain, happiness and hurt, peace and worry, laughter and tears, broken, yet whole. It’s a beautiful and yet astounding mystery. All of these emotions can feel crushing, but when they are experienced on the solid ground of faith in God and the good news of the Gospel, we can confidently say, “It is well with my soul.” Because the stability of God won’t let you fall; it’s a firm foundation, an anchor, a mountain, the strongest thing of all.

Thank you for joining me today on The Soulfull Family blog. I pray that these words somehow encourage your heart and mind. That is the goal. I believe we all need more of it! If you missed my first blog post of 2024, check it out here!