This Rejoice & Praise God Sunday Open Thread, with full respect to those who worship God on the Sabbath, is a place to reaffirm our worship of our Creator, our Father, our King Eternal.

It’s also a place to read, post, and discuss news that is worth knowing and sharing. Please post links to any news stories that you use as sources or quote from.

In the QTree, we’re a friendly and civil lot. We encourage free speech and the open exchange and civil discussion of different ideas. Topics aren’t constrained, and sound logic is highly encouraged, all built on a solid foundation of truth and established facts.

We have a policy of mutual respect, shown by civility. Civility encourages discussions, promotes objectivity and rational thought in discourse, and camaraderie in the participants – characteristics we strive toward in our Q Tree community.

Please show respect and consideration for our fellow QTreepers. Before hitting the “post” button, please proofread your post and make sure your opinion addresses the issue only, and does not confront or denigrate the poster. Keep to the topic – avoid “you” and “your”. Here in The Q Tree, personal attacks, name-calling, ridicule, insults, baiting, and other conduct for which a penalty flag would be thrown are VERBOTEN.

In The Q Tree, we’re compatriots, sitting around the campfire, roasting hot dogs, making s’mores, and discussing, agreeing, and disagreeing about whatever interests us. This board will remain a home for those who seek respectful conversations.

Please also consider the Guidelines for posting and discussion printed here: 
https://www.theqtree.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/

On this day and every day –

God is in Control
. . . and His Grace is Sufficient, so . . .
Keep Looking Up

Hopefully, every Sunday, we can find something here that will build us up a little . . . give us a smile . . . and add some joy or peace, very much needed in all our lives.

“This day is holy to the Lord your God;
do not mourn nor weep.” . . .
“Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet,
and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared;
for this day is holy to our Lord.
Do not sorrow,
for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Things We Don’t Understand

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9

The Mystery of God’s Plan
As we walk through life, we often find ourselves confronted with situations that leave us scratching our heads. We might not understand why certain events occur or how God’s plans are unfolding in our lives. Yet, when we reflect on God’s mysterious ways, we realize that He sees the bigger picture that we cannot. His infinite wisdom surpasses our limited perspectives. We should embrace our lack of understanding as an opportunity to lean on His divine guidance and trust that He is working for our good, even when things do not make sense to us.

 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. – Isaiah 55:8

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!” – Romans 11:33

 “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.” – Job 5:9

 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Finding Peace in the Unknown
Facing the unknown can be unsettling, yet we are encouraged to find tranquility in our faith. God assures us through Scripture that even when we don’t grasp the reasons behind our circumstances, He is sovereign and in control. We can take comfort in knowing that we are not alone in our lack of understanding. Through prayer and seeking His presence, we can find peace amidst life’s uncertainties. Let us cultivate trust in His perfect plans, knowing that His timing is always right and He cares for us deeply.

 “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

 “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” – Psalm 46:10

 “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27

 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

Understanding Through Faith
When we encounter things we don’t understand, our faith plays a key role in bridging that gap. Trusting God doesn’t mean we will always have the answers, but it means we believe He is working in ways that may be hidden from us for now. Our faith allows us to embrace the uncertainties while remaining confident in God’s promises. These times can deepen our relationship with Him as we learn to rely on His strength and guidance. Together, we can grow in faith, reminding one another that God is with us through every twist and turn.

 “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1

 “For we live by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7

 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” – James 1:5

 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7

 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7

The Role of Doubt in Understanding
Doubt can feel like a heavy burden. Yet, through our struggles, we can experience growth and even clarity. It’s okay to wrestle with our faith and question things we find challenging to comprehend. Many examples in the Bible showcase this very human experience. It is through these moments of questioning that God often reveals more of Himself to us. We are able to transform our doubts into deeper understanding, encouraging each other in faith as we navigate our uncertainties together.

 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” – Mark 9:24

 “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.” – Matthew 28:17

 “He sent two of his disciples to ask him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’” – Luke 7:19

 “Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’” – John 20:27

 “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” – James 1:6

The Promise of Understanding
Through God’s Word, we find not just comfort but also the promise that understanding will come in due time. As we seek Him with our questions, we open ourselves to His wisdom and revelation. We can be assured that even if we don’t have answers immediately, God has a plan to reveal them to us at the right time. Holding onto this promise helps us embrace our journey with patience and expectation, knowing that we are never left without hope. Together, we can support each other in our quest for understanding.

 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Proverbs 2:6

 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” – Colossians 1:9-10

 “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” – Ephesians 1:17

 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalms 119:105

 “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding.” – Proverbs 3:13

Hope in Our Uncertainty
Even in our moments of confusion, we can hold tightly to hope. God remains our anchor, and through Him, we find purpose beyond what we currently comprehend. It is during challenging times that we cultivate resilience and strength. Our hope lies in the assurance that God is always present, even when we cannot see His hand at work. We can lend one another support, reminding ourselves that God uses our trials to shape us into who we are meant to be and to bring about His glory.

 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

 “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” – Psalms 31:24

 “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31

 “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” – Lamentations 3:25

Final Thoughts
As we reflect upon the topics of understanding and the mysteries of life, we find comfort in the Word of God. We may face situations beyond our comprehension, but we are assured that God has a plan and purpose for everything we encounter. Together, we can cultivate faith and trust in His divine wisdom, even in times of uncertainty. It’s okay to experience doubt and questions — what matters is how we respond. Through prayer and seeking His presence, we can find peace. Let us remain hopeful, encouraging one another as we walk this path of faith, believing in God’s promises. Remember, His wisdom is boundless, and we can lean on Him in every situation.
xhttps://biblerepository.com/bible-verses-about-things-we-dont-understand/

Things to Come
At this time, we know only a part of everything. We can only speak a part of God’s whole message. But a time will come when everything becomes complete. At this time, we see things as if we were looking at them in a dark, hazy mirror. What we see now is not clear. But the time will come when we will see everything clearly. Now we know only a part of what is true. But then we will know everything completely. We will understand completely, just as God understands us completely. – 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12