God Goes Before Us

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8

We had been trying to sell our inflatable rental business for years. We were so close several times, but the deal would always fall through. It was years of trying to sell the business, and we just assumed that God wanted us to continue with the rentals because we were able to meet new people in our community and pray for the people who we rented to. But what we did not know and completely comprehend at the time was the fact that God was going ahead of us and knew exactly when the inflatables would bless another family's finances, and ours at the same time. 

A couple that had just been relocated to our town because of a flood in their city were looking for a business to bless their family's budget. Our inflatables were able to do that for them. . . but what they did not know and what we did not know was that the money we put in the bank for savings was actually part of a bigger plan that my husband and I had no clue about. We sold the inflatables in April of 2017, and we were so excited to have money to make our Dave Ramsey three month emergency fund a reality. However, in May 2017, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Here is where I began to see just how God goes before us even when we are praying in desperation for our own timing. There were so many times I had prayed and asked, or pleaded, for God to sell the inflatables and bless our savings account with financial freedom. But God answered "no" several times because He knew that hospitals and doctors require large sums of money before breast cancer procedures and surgeries can happen. If we did not have the inflatable money at this exact time, we would have been struggling to find the money for my breast cancer surgery and treatment. God had gone before us and knew exactly what we needed before we had even come to the large and steep scary mountain of cancer. . . 

"I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron." Isaiah 45:2

Through the storm of breast cancer, I saw God's character and how God had been preparing a rainbow for me to walk across. How he had leveled the mountains, so I would not have to climb the rough terrain, and He broke down the gates and allowed me to peacefully and restfully walk the journey of breast cancer. I would have never asked for a storm like this, but without it, I would not have experienced the power of God going before me, and I would not have had this opportunity to grow in my relationship with God. 

Have you ever gone through a rough time and had a friend or family member stick by your side listening to you or helping you with advice. . . and through this time you grew closer to your friend or family member and as a result shared a bond? That's what I gained with God when He walked before me, with me, and behind me during my breast cancer journey. I saw God's true character. . . and grew in my faith and courage for the next challenge in this fallen world! God does not promise life to be easy, but God does promise to walk before us and with us. 

Now, because of my breast cancer journey, I can go forth faithfully in confidence knowing that God has already been where I am going.  I learned about God's character and it is now easier to put complete trust in Him. 

I have not always had this courage within my faith. I have worried, and still do until I get my mind grounded in God's promises. Having courage within your faith takes time with God. Once you experience God's Grace and Mercy and you grow in your relationship with God, the courage will be built in your faith of walking with God. . . confidence that God has already prepared the path. This kind of confidence and faith takes lots of courage, but with that courage comes peace and rest trusting that God knows exactly how your circumstances will turn out before you even begin the journey down that road. 


Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6 


Today's Journal and Reflection: Have you been praying for answers and you feel as if you are not being heard? What do you fear if your prayer is not answered on your timeline? Does God's promises help you find confidence while you wait for God to reveal His plan? Why/Why not? By staying in God's Word, you can find more about God's character and how He has worked in other's lives. . . He is the same today as He was yesterday when He performed miracles that are documented in the Bible.