He knows Your Needs Before You Panic!
willful faith even in the midst of the unknown.
When God called us to move, sell our house, leave our family and friends, and embark upon a new adventure with Him, we were filled with various emotions. We were excited about the new opportunity to spread our wings and embrace the journey ahead of us, but we were also quite anxious about the “unknown” of it all.
“God, we will have to sell our house, and find somewhere new to live over the course of a weekend trip. Will we have double payments while we wait to sell our house?”
“God, we won’t be able to list the house for what we paid for it…and we don’t have any equity. How will we cover closing costs? And…I just backed into the garage door RIGHT after we paid to patch the roof and addressed an interior mold issue in the house we are trying to sell! (Whoops…)”
“Ok, Lord, we’re going to need new tires on both cars before we drive across the country…And God, what about this unexpected bill we just received for our sweet 7-month-old whose NICU stay we thought we’d finished paying for? God, I know you know our needs.”
“Lord, I’m afraid. I have never really left home. What about my family? What will it be like to be far away from them?”
“God with us.”
During the time leading up to our move, God was gently guiding, faithfully speaking, and powerfully providing.
He truly gave us “discerning minds” (Psalm 119:169). He “determined our steps” (Proverbs 16:9). He drew us closer to Himself (2 Samuel 14:14). But, I began to learn something in a much more personal way throughout that time. God knows our needs before we panic. And He knows our needs before we ask…but we must ask.
“My God will meet all (our) needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
Sometimes, He meets our needs practically and materially. Other times, He meets our needs in the form of “Holy Spirit Strength” to get us through unimaginably difficult trials (because we are promised trials in this life). He supplies our needs by giving us joy in the midst of heartache – peace in the midst of the raging ocean of life. He meets our needs through His Word. It is our anchor in the midst of an evil world (Psalm 119:61). God’s Word sheds light onto our path and gives us hope for our future. He ultimately meets our needs through our Savior, Jesus. He knew our greatest need before we even entered the world. He knew we couldn’t make it on our own. Oh what a Savior! He stoops down low in order to raise us up.
Just to cure some of your potential curiosity…God allowed our house to sell after one week on the market. We had more than enough for closing costs (it was a “God thing”). Someone anonymously paid for tires for both of our vehicles without us ever speaking of the need to anyone. God quickly provided a place for us to live in NC. We were given a sum of money upon our arrival by some anonymous church members that covered our remaining hospital bills for our daughter’s NICU stay. We’ve been showered with love and acceptance from our new church family, who after just one year are quickly becoming like true family. God has continually confirmed His call upon our lives and continued to lead us along the journey He has called us to embark upon. I know there will be times in life that won’t seem to go as “easily” as this move has initially. But, God has proven to us that life is best lived clinging to Him amid the billowing waves.
Lindsey Wingo is the wife of Worship Pastor, Ryan Wingo and together they have two daughters, Ivey (3), and Ruthie (1). She is also a pastor’s daughter, so ministry life is all she has ever known! She is currently a stay-at-home mom and spends her days among piles of toys, sippy cups, laundry, and groceries. Lindsey has a passion for women’s ministry and loves nothing more than conversing with a fellow sister in Christ over a hot cup of coffee…and chocolate of course! With a newly rediscovered love for writing, as well as a desire to encourage other mom’s, Lindsey recently launched a collaborative blog for mothers at missionalmotherhood.com. Lindsey also enjoys writing letters to her daughters on her personal blog, which can be found at lindseywingo.blogspot.com.
