If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry by Molly StillmanSample

Trusting God with Our All

Friend, I have no idea if you know Jesus, if you don’t know Jesus, or if you once thought you knew Jesus but haven’t been around Him in a while. But I want to lovingly say to you: He’s there. He’s waiting. When idols fail to deliver what they promise, turn toward the only source of true hope. Go after Jesus. Whatever burden you’re carrying, leave it at His feet. Whatever shame you feel, let it go.

“But you don’t know me, Molly,” you retort. “You don’t know what I’ve done, what I’ve been through, the pain and hurt I’ve experienced, the thoughts I’ve thought or the things I’ve said.” You’re right. I don’t. But God does. And He loves you anyway. He sent His Son to earth as a helpless baby, to grow up, to show you the way to live, to take on your sin and your punishment, to die on a cross for you, and to be raised from the dead three days later—declaring the final victory over it all. Whatever you think is too much for God, is not. All you have to do is go to Him and say, “God, forgive me. I need You. Help me. I can’t do this life without You. Restore that which is broken.” And He will change you into a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

That’s the first step. The rest of the healing process takes time—a lifetime, really. For so long I carried the weight of shame and kept the full truth of my idolatry a secret. But then I realized that my heavenly Father’s work of forgiveness on the cross is finished. Done. Complete. All of my sins, all of your sins, were paid for by Jesus’ death and resurrection. There’s absolutely nothing I can add to that. There’s nothing you can do to earn that.

My friend, if God can forgive you, who are you that you can’t forgive yourself? If you don’t, you’ll miss out on the joy and wonder God has for you. He’s the inventor of joy, of beauty, of laughter, and of peace. May all of that be yours in abundance as you seek after Jesus and walk with him.

Dear Lord, thank You for coming to earth to rescue me and take away my sin and shame. I will rest in that beautiful truth today. Amen.

This reading plan is based on the book If I Don't Laugh, I'll Cry by Molly Stillman. Learn more by visiting Molly Stillman's website.