Robin

Luftig

Contributing Writer

Robin founded Renew Ministries, sharing with women that God has a plan for their lives—a plan that includes healing. She tells of redemption and triumph over brokenness; how there is no place so far from God that he cannot reach through and redeem a willing heart. Robin speaks independently as well as for Stonecroft Ministries. She has also contributed to and led Divorce Care support groups. Her first book, From Pain to Peace: A Journey of Forgiveness After Divorce (CreateSpace, 2011) offers there can be a blessed life after divorce. Robin is a Word Weavers International Mentor and contributes to Florida Christian Writers Conference and Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference blogs. Her latest interview can be found at Christian Devotion Speak UP. She attends Lighthouse Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband Lew and serves on its governance board.

More from Robin Luftig

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Trust God without Hesitation

It was during a five-hour distraction-free drive to speak at a women’s conference when I heard God’s voice in my heart ask me a four-word question that changed my life forever.

Do you trust Me?

I wish I could say I answered with a resounding, Yes, of course, I trust You, but I didn’t. Instead, I pondered God’s provision, and honestly, what I perceived as the lack of it. While I had entertained the idea of a living God early in life, bad choices had filled my young adult years. But my life changed course when I met Jesus. I chose to move beyond my darkness and share the Good News with others.

I was prepared to give examples of the grace and mercy He offered me and tell these women at the conference how God offered these same gifts to them as well. Yet, as I continued my drive, I answered the Great I Am’s question, Do you trust Me? with a big, I don’t know.

Instead of answering His question, I tried to divert the conversation by asking my own question.

Can’t we keep our relationship as it is; me talking about Your grace and mercy and You watching my back?

I knew God’s heart from studying Him for the past few years and should have realized the question he posed had a purpose. Three weeks later, that purpose revealed itself when I suffered a grand mal seizure and was told I had ten days to live. As I lay crying in an emergency room bed, I heard that familiar voice in my heart once more.

Do you trust Me?

Often we find ourselves in moments that seem unsurmountable. During my moment — those ten days — I pondered over my past and choices I had made that drove my life’s trajectory from one catastrophe to another. During that assessment, God showed me through scripture, prayer, and meditation, how He had kept me safe, even though I hadn’t seen Him. Through family suicide, abusive relations, and great loss, He never left me. Sadly, the distractions of each calamity had stolen my focus. Instead of seeking Him, I acted as if I had everything under control.

But God loved me enough to allow me to run away from my pain. In my moment, I realized I couldn’t run anymore. That realization forced me to face down the demons who had haunted me. I needed to ask myself, Do I trust God?

Daniel 3:16-26 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." Nebuchadnezzar was so furious with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego that his face became distorted with rage. He commanded that the furnace be heated seven times hotter than usual. Then he ordered some of the strongest men of his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So they tied them up and threw them into the furnace, fully dressed in their pants, turbans, robes, and other garments. And because the king, in his anger, had demanded such a hot fire in the furnace, the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men in. So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, securely tied, fell into the roaring flames. But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, "Didn't we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?" "Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did," they replied. "Look!" Nebuchadnezzar shouted. "I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god*!" Then Nebuchadnezzar came as close as he could to the door of the flaming furnace and shouted: "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stepped out of the fire. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

shares the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They knew in their hearts and minds they could trust God. The passage reads, in part,

“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it ...”
Daniel 3:17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)

I wanted what they had.

I knew in my head that God could protect me, but I needed to look beyond my newest catastrophe. If I were to die, I needed to know God was still worthy of praise and He would walk with me through this disaster.

When I comprehended the depth of love that God has for me was when I realized my future was secure.

My moment happened in April of 2011, several ten-day moments ago. After physical, occupational, and speech therapy, I now fill my time living a life that tells others of the God who says, “

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)

God has a plan for each of our lives and his grace and mercy are there for the taking. You may be running from your own issues. Pause. Take a breath. These issues may be opportunities for a turning point in your life. Recall Joseph’s words to his brothers regarding the hardship he had endured because of their actions.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done …”
Genesis 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV)

God used my moment — my ten days — to restore my faith and trust in Him.

Now I know God is with me and I can trust Him.

The same is with you.

Trust Him without hesitation. It’s worth it.