Tethered to Truth

This I know, that God is for me. – Psalm 56:9b ESV

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul. Hebrews 6:19a BSB

Though the years have now faded into decades, the tidal wave of emotional pain I experienced that day, remains embedded within my mind. The gut-punch, this-can’t-be-happening trial that began unfolding before me definitely didn’t line up with what I had been praying for or what I thought I understood about God. The beginnings of what would become a multi-year trial assaulted my mind with doubts about God’s goodness and even His existence. “How do I make sense of this?,” was my heart’s subconscious cry….

Probably more out of panic than faith, I began to recite what I definitely did know. Like desperately looking for a landmark, my heart and mind scanned the horizon for an anchor to tether myself to. A lighthouse to direct my way. I recognized that I needed to remind myself of the Truth before I fell off the cliff into despair. These words came spilling out of my heart and mouth:

“He gave the life of His Son for me.”

“I know I’m a new creation in Christ. I remember the me before Jesus, and I see the me after Him.”

“He’s promised to bring good out of all I face.”

“He promised, “Call to Me and I will answer you.””

“He said He will never leave me or forsake me.”

“He told me not to fear.”

“He said I should walk by faith and not sight.”

As I spoke the Truth to my own heart, the grip of doubt and despair began to lift. Not forever. But for that moment, His Word kept my heart and mind tethered to the Truth. I have had to repeat this scenario more times than I can count (still do on some days). Often, the best response to a gut-punch tragedy or a trial that rolls on into years is to start with what we know.

Start with what we know. He loves us and gave the life of His Son for us. He is good and faithful. His Word is true. Truer than our feelings or circumstances or momentary doubts. He can be trusted even when what we see doesn’t seem “fair” or just. He has not forgotten us and He will never leave us.  Trials don’t equal abandonment.

In a world filled with heartache, gut-wrenching disappointment, the raw reality of life or the ache of regret, it’s imperative that we stay tethered to the Truth. Truth found in His Word*. You can be sure that our own thoughts mingled with the enemy’s lies will seek to bring confusion and doubt, the answer to such an assault is to get back to foundation, to the very basics.  

I’ll wrap this up with a sports analogy (Thanks to my husband, I have many of these roaming the halls of my mind!). At the beginning of each season, Vince Lombardi, legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, would often hold up a football and say, “Gentlemen, this is a football.” He did this at the start of training camp to remind his players to focus on the fundamentals. He began using this illustration after a season that revealed a clear lack of basic fundamentals, though fancy moves or trick plays abounded, it was clear that the basics had taken a hit. While I’m admittedly not an expert on football (Or sports of any kind!), I think his words provide a great point for us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Let’s get the basics down. Let’s start with what we know.

Hold up your copy of God’s Word, and remind yourself, “This … is The Truth.”

Father God, when the circumstances of life cause me to doubt Your goodness or my emotions scream that that I’m all alone, help me stay tethered to the Truth in Your Word. I love you so much, help me lean hard into You until these difficulties pass by. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Written by Becky White for the Lord Jesus

*Pull specific truths that you personally need reminded of.

Additional resource to read and an audio to listen to.

Some of the verses from today’s devo:

2 Corinthians 5:21, John 3:16, Romans 8:32, Psalm 100:5, Lamentations 3:23, Psalms 33:4, 119:160, John 17:17, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Habakkuk 2:4, 1 John 3:20, Psalm 145:13, Psalm 37:13, Isaiah 49:16, Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:18, Psalm 57:1, Jeremiah 33:3