Trusting God in Uncertain Times

Gonzalez Family in Thailand Vol. 1, No. 6

"To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark - that is faith."

-Charles Spurgeon

God is In Control

I will always remember the hour that Isaac was born. After he was rolled away in an incubator, we learned that something was wrong with Sara and that she was going to need emergency surgery to stop a hemorrhage and none of the doctors knew the source of the bleeding. In that moment, and thousands more for the next 6 months, I realized that I had just about zero control over some of the most important parts of my life. It didn't matter what I had accomplished, how much money I made or who I knew. All I could do is pray and trust that God's plan was perfect. That six months changed my life forever and it prepared me for times like this.

Right now all of us are dealing with some degree of loss of control. However, truth be told, we never had that much control to begin with. Times like this should remind us that God is bigger than we can even imagine. As the days drag on we all face a choice. We can worry and fret or we can trust Him. Let me be the first to say that I often choose incorrectly but on my better days I am reminded of what Jesus taught on a hillside 2000 years ago. In Matthew 6: 25-34, Jesus instructs us to look at the birds of the air and the flowers of the field to find encouragement. He reminds us that God sustains the birds and beautifies the flowers. Then He tells us that we mean so much more to God than even the birds and the flowers and that our worries are not worth our time. What's more is that this love that God has for us extends beyond just this life. For those who put their faith and hope in Jesus Christ, there is an eternity of joy awaiting us when our days here are complete, however that may come.

Our circumstances are as uncertain as many of yours. Thailand is pretty much shut down, including the language schools and Lanna Theological Center. In fact, most foreigners aren't even allowed into the country until at least April 30. I have captured more details in our prayer requests below. When I quit my job to respond to this calling I could have never imagined the world would look like it does today but none of this is a surprise to God. I am glad I didn't understand how the next few months were going to look because I am not sure I would have had the courage to follow Him. I am thankful for the clarity He has given us and I am reminded that to enjoy the peace that surpasses understanding, sometimes we have to give up our desire and ability to understand.

Secret Church

I would like to encourage you to consider an upcoming intense bible study led via simulcast by David Platt. It is called Secret Church. Sara and I have been through this study in the past and we were so glad we made the time to very intentionally seek God with a focus toward how many people around the world are not able to worship Him the same way we are privileged to do so here in America. As most of us are unable to gather with our church families, this might be a good way to recover some of that sweet time dedicated to God and his word. Warning: this is deep study that will require a significant commitment for one night on April 24, but I believe it will be worth it (also, you aren't going out that Friday night anyway). For more information watch the video below and visit Radical.net.

Specific Prayer Requests

• Selling our home - We have always felt like God had given us peace about putting our home on the market on April 1st. We stuck with that plan despite the current circumstances. We are praying that God brings the right buyer according to his timing and that we will have the wisdom to respond appropriately.

• Seeing our friends and family - We had intended to see many of our friends and family before we left for Thailand. However, we are not sure if that trip is going to happen. We are hopeful that we will still be able to see as many people as possible but we are also praying for contentment if our departure does not go as we had planned.

• Getting to Thailand - Our flight to Thailand is scheduled to depart on June 4. We are praying that God will allow us to be on that flight. We are eager to begin our work learning Thai and spending time at the Lanna Theological Center. We will praise God even if we must delay but today we are still hopeful to be in Thailand in early June.

• 59 days until launch (we hope).

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4: 6-7

https://vimeo.com/213166470