Starting Right
Starting Right is a 5 minute Day Starter to help keep you motivated, encouraged, and focused throughout your day. DannyMac is a pastor, teacher, motivational speaker, husband, and father. His years of leading and training people have given him vast experience in helping individuals to accomplish change in their lives and meet their goals. He can help you set the course for your day by offering practical advice from God's Word in a positive and fun way. There is no better way to begin your day than by Starting Right with DannyMac.
Starting Right
Finding Strength and Hope in Uncertainty
Unlock the secrets to finding peace amidst chaos as we journey through the ancient wisdom of the book of Habakkuk. Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people and how faith can guide you through the darkest times? Join me, Danny Mac, in a reflective exploration of Habakkuk's poignant dialogue with God, where the prophet openly expresses his confusion and despair over the turmoil around him. Together, we'll unpack God's reassuring promise that answers will come in due time and discuss how cultivating patience and trust can help us withstand life's storms.
In the latter part of our conversation, I am joined by my friend and insightful author, Terry Todd, who challenges us to confront our personal "even ifs"—those nagging uncertainties and struggles we all face. We'll discuss transforming these challenges into opportunities for joy and gratitude, just as Habakkuk did. Through shared insights and a powerful mindset shift, we'll explore the path to happiness and peace by embracing the unwavering love of God, regardless of our circumstances. Let this episode ignite a spark of inspiration and encourage you to find strength in faith as you navigate life's uncertainties.
Good morning and welcome to Starting Right. I am Danny Mac and I'm going to be here every Monday to Friday to help you get a great start to your day. So grab your cup of coffee, sit back and relax for the next five minutes as I help you start your day by starting right. In the Old Testament, book of Habakkuk, we see this conversation between the prophet and with God, and Habakkuk is confused. He is uncertain as to why God has not heard his prayer. He starts off the conversation like this how long, o Lord, must I call for help but you do not listen? Violence is everywhere. I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see violence and destruction. I'm surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. Habakkuk was calling out to God from Jerusalem, decrying the state of his country. They were surrounded by enemies who were coming to destroy them. There was corruption and sexual immorality within their nation. The worship of gods of any kind had become prominent within the country and the worship of the true God had been minimized. He's saying Lord, why is this happening? Why do you not hear our prayers? Why are you allowing this to continue? This doesn't make sense, lord. Where are you and why aren't you answering? Where is our help? God responds and promises Habakkuk the answer will come and that God will not abandon his people. In the second chapter, god tells the prophet the answer may seem slow in coming, but wait patiently. It will surely take place and it will not be denied. God gives his assurance to Habakkuk that yes, the answer will come. Just trust and just hang on. The entire book is this conversation back and forth between Habakkuk and God. And as we get to the end of the book, in chapter 3, habakkuk has resolved within himself how he is going to respond to the situation, how he's going to look at all the things that are going on and all the destruction and all the things that are so bad right now. And yet he has chosen within himself how he wants to react to it. He says in verse 17, even if the fig tree does not bloom and the vines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and theines have no grapes, even if the olive tree fails to produce and the fields yield no food, even if the sheep pen is empty and the stalls have no cattle, even then I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God who saves me. Habakkuk declares that although everything else may fail around him, he will continue to trust in God, because there is no affliction, however severe or however trying, that could ever separate us from the love of God.
Speaker 1:My friend and author Terry Todd was speaking to a ladies group and referenced this portion of scripture, and she left the ladies by telling them this Do you see all the even ifs? In that passage, the writer is telling us that we can rejoice in the middle of hardship and pain. I encourage you all to fill those even ifs with your own even ifs. We all have them. Make a list, whatever yours might be, even if my marriage is broken, even if I am not receiving healing from an illness, even if I am still unemployed, even if I am not receiving healing from an illness, even if I am still unemployed, even if my loved one still has an addiction. You all know what your even ifs are and maybe the list seems extra long, but once you know your list is done, add the even then part, like Habakkuk did. Even then I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God who saves me.
Speaker 1:I encourage you all today make a list of your even ifs, all the things that you are waiting on. You are waiting to find answers for that have not come yet, all the things that are really heavy upon you. Make a list of your even ifs, but then don't forget to add the even. Then I will be happy with the Lord. I will truly find joy in God who saves me. It will change how you see your problems. I guarantee it. Have a great day, my friends. We'll talk again tomorrow. Thank you for listening today and I invite you to join me Monday to Friday, right here on Starting Right with Danny Mac.
