Thanking God for What Didn't Happen - Crosswalk the Devotional - December 11
Thanking God for What Didn’t Happen
By Debbie McDaniel
“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:1-2
Sometimes we need to thank God for all the things that didn’t happen, for what He’s stopped that we never even knew about.
We may not always see it, or feel it, we might forget it’s there at times, or even wonder if God’s left us to fend for ourselves in the heat of hard situations in life. But His protection is real. He sees what we can't see. He knows what we may not know. And if we belong to Him, we can trust, He's with us, every step, going before us, and covering our back too.
Yet in a world of dark, He often gets blamed for a lot of stuff that swirls around us. "Why would God let that happen? Why didn't He do something different? Why did God cause that to happen?"
But the truth is we often have no idea how much He has protected us from, how He's continually working on our behalf, even behind the scenes where we can't see. Following after us. Chasing us. To bring great blessing, and to show us the way.
He promises to take us by the hand, He reminds us not to fear, and assures us He will help us.
We’re never left on our own to try to figure everything out, we’re not left to fight our battles in our own strength. That pathway is filled with potholes of worry and burdens. It’ll trip you up, it’ll wear you out.
God’s way is better. Full of security, peace, assurance, and all that this world can never fully offer.
Trust Him, even when it's hard to understand it all, and believe His ways are the best for you.
Intersecting Faith & Life: Dear God, thank you that you go before us, and that you cover us from behind. Thank you for your protection over us, that you surround our lives as a shield. Thank you for your grace and favor, for your blessings and love that you so graciously shine over your people. We trust you even when we cannot see all that you’re doing. We know that you are for us and you fight for us today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Further Reading: Psalms 46:1, Isaiah 54:17, Isaiah 41:13, Psalms 23
Find more by Debbie at www.debbiemcdaniel.com, or on her Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com!
Related Resource: Relapse, Trauma, and the Power of Community
Caroline Beidler still vividly remembers cracking open her first beer under a big oak tree. She was 11. In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic, host Jon Seidl sits down with Beidler—managing editor of recovery.com, author, and addiction recovery advocate—to explore her powerful story of childhood trauma, early addiction, spiritual awakening, relapse, and ultimate restoration through faith and community. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, share this podcast or follow Confessions of a Christian Alcoholic on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
