Every day, I need to remind myself to “Keep God on the right side of BUT”!
Huh? You might think.
As a new Christian, I remember when my mentor and now co-author, Jackie, taught me about the phrase “But God . . .” This lesson continues to be one that shapes my worldview and daily life. The phrase “But God . . .” is found 43 times in the Bible.
“You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to . . . save many people alive” (Gen. 50:20).
“Their beauty shall be consumed in the grave . . . . But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave” (Ps. 49:14-15).
“For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:7-8).
“But God” is an important declaration in His word.
Every day we think about 65,000 words. Of the words we think, the average woman can speak up to 20,000 of those words out loud for the world to hear.
The words we actually think, and ultimately say, create our view of life and God. How we form sentences can shape how we respond to a situation and how we live our life.
I learned it matters where I place God’s name in a sentence. If I put his name before the “but”, then I am claiming it as my own. I have taken off my “kingdom vision” glasses and put on my own “narrow view” glasses. I have taken over my life and am now my “own” god.
However, if I put His name after the “but”, I am giving Him all the power and glory in this world. I can be reassured of His involvement in not only my life, but everyone around me. He is holy, righteous and completely in control.
For instance, if I say:
God knew this was going to happen here, but I don’t like it at all.
OR
I don’t like what just happened here, but God is completely in control.
Do you see how different the second sentence is?
During this last season, I was cautioned by one of my favorite quotes – “Keep God on right side of BUT”. Struggling between how much I do and trusting God to do all that He is. There is such a fine line. I found myself putting “God on the left side of BUT!” This is a huge mistake!
Examples of “God on the left side of BUT”:
- God is healing me, but I have to eat this way.
- God has allowed this in my life for a reason, but I am researching for a cure.
- God supplies all my needs, but I have to depend on others.
The exact same sentences with “God on the right side of BUT”:
- I have to eat this way, but I know God is healing me.
- I am researching for a cure, but I know God has allowed this in my life for a reason.
- I have to depend on others, but God supplies all my needs.
I have had to catch myself over and over again in the last months.
I am always trying to take over and run the show.
Is there anyone else out there like me?
Can any of you relate?
This week, I felt like God wanted me to remind myself and tell all of you to keep His name on the right side of BUT!
~Jeanna Young
When Jeanna is not writing, speaking, event planning, or homeschooling, she can be found scrapbooking her life, redecorating her home, loving on her husband, planning fun events for her kids or eating healthy to stay cancer-free!
