BUT GOD: The Pivot Back to Life
- karenjuly1965
- Jan 15
- 9 min read
Yesterday we talked about what holds the weight of the heart — because Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Today we’re taking that one step deeper… because Scripture gives us a turning point word that can change everything:
BUT.
Not a casual word — a holy pivot.
A moment where God interrupts fear, confusion, sorrow, and temptation — and calls us back to Life.
BUT GOD: The Pivot Back to Life
The Turning Point of Surrender, Confession, and Seeking First
One word can change direction:
BUT.
Yesterday we talked about what holds the weight of the heart
— because Jesus said,
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
(Matthew 6:21)
Today we’re taking that one step deeper
… because Scripture gives us a turning point word that
can change everything: BUT.
Not a casual word — a holy pivot.
A moment where God interrupts fear, confusion, sorrow, and temptation
— and calls us back to Life.
1) “BUT” is the pivot that changes direction.
When Scripture says “BUT”, it’s not just a transition.
It’s an invitation to turn.
It’s Heaven interrupting earth.
It’s God saying:
Stop going that way.
Stop leaning on that.
Stop striving to fix it in your own strength.
Come back.
That’s why I love how God speaks in Scripture.
He doesn’t deny reality — He redeems it.
He doesn’t shame the hurting heart — He guides it.
He doesn’t crush the weak — He strengthens the surrendering.
2) God sets life and death before us… and shows us how to choose.
The Lord says something sobering and loving:
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…”
(Deuteronomy 30:19, KJV)
Notice what God is doing:
He doesn’t pretend both roads are the same.
He tells us plainly:
There is a road that leads to life…and there is a road that leads to death.
There is blessing…and there is cursing.
And the world loves to blur that line
— especially by emotion.
But God calls us to choose life.
You can’t choose life if your heart is being led by fear.
That choice begins where?
In the heart.
Because what we treasure directs us.
What we desire drives us.
What we dwell on shapes us.
That’s why Jesus said:
“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
(Matthew 6:21)
So if the enemy can capture your thoughts, your feelings, your cravings,
your attention…
he can lead your heart.
But if you learn to pivot — to turn — to choose life…
God can turn everything around.
3) “BUT GOD” is the moment Heaven interrupts your story.
Sometimes Scripture shows this pattern again and again:
I was broken… BUT GOD.
I was lost… BUT GOD.
I was afraid… BUT GOD.
I was under pressure… BUT GOD.
I was going the wrong way… BUT GOD.
It is the difference between staying stuck and being saved.
It is the moment faith interrupts fear.
It is the moment Truth outruns emotion.
It is the moment Jesus becomes more real than what you feel.
And this is why “BUT” matters:
Because the Lord never leaves a surrendered soul in darkness.
4) CONFESS is how we turn our heart back toward Truth.
This is where Romans becomes alive.
Not as religion — but as rescue.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and
shalt believe in thine heart… thou shalt be saved.”
(Romans 10:9–10, KJV)
Confession is not performance — it is alignment.
That word “confess” does not mean:
recite something like a routine.
It means:
agree with God.
declare truth.
speak what Heaven says
— even when emotions are screaming the opposite.
Confession is not pretending.
Confession is surrender.
It’s you saying:
Lord,
I believe You.
Lord,
I submit to You.
Lord,
save me from me.
Lord,
lead my heart.
And that confession is powerful because…
your mouth will either agree with fear —or agree with faith.
5) Bless the Lord means: command your soul.
This is where Psalm 103 comes in like medicine.
David doesn’t ask his soul how it feels.
He commands it.
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits…”
(Psalm 103:1–2, KJV)
Your soul is not your leader — Jesus is.
In other words:
Soul
— you will not lead me today.
Emotions
— you are not my god.
Fear
— you are not my master.
Jesus is Lord.
That’s what it looks like to pivot.
That’s the “BUT” in action.
6) Submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near.
And this is where James brings it home.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”
(James 4:7–8, KJV)
Surrender is not weakness — it’s spiritual power.
This is not powerless religion.
It’s so much more.
It’s relationship — where we learn our part, trust God to help us do our part, and believe He is faithful to do what only He can do.
Religion is what rejected Jesus.
Religion is what put Jesus on the cross.
But relationship is different.
Relationship is what Jesus died to give us
— not rules without life
… but life with God.
And the Bible makes it plain:
Jesus is not only our Savior
He is not only our Savior — He is also our Lord and our Head.
“And he is the head of the body, the church…”
(Colossians 1:18)
So let me paint a picture:
It’s like a team — but not one owned by men.
God owns the team.
Jesus is the Head.
And we are the body.
We don’t run the game by emotions.
We don’t make up our own playbook.
We follow the leadership of the Head.
Each of us has a part — a position — a place to move in obedience.
And when the body listens to the Head, it moves in unity, strength, and purpose.
That is what the Christian life is:
Not striving to look “religious”
…but surrendering to be led.
Not trying to do it alone
…but trusting the Lord to supply what we lack.
Because when we submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near…
God draws near.
God strengthens.
God helps.
God leads.
That’s relationship.
Christianity isn’t a performance
— it’s the Body learning to follow its Head: Jesus Christ.
This is spiritual alignment.
This is warfare through surrender.
This is how blessings replace curses:
Not by striving — but by submitting.
Not by obsessing over darkness — but by drawing near to Light.
And here’s the truth:
God is not hiding from you.
He wants to be found by you.
That’s why Jesus said:
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God…”
(Matthew 6:33)
7) We can trust God with the weight of our heart.
I know life hurts.
This world is temporary.
Loss is real
.Grief is real.
And sometimes we ask hard questions:
Lord, why didn’t You stop this?
Why does this have to hurt so much?
Why do I feel like I’m left here to figure it out?
I understand those questions.
And I want to tell you something I’ve learned:
God can handle the honesty of your heart.
Bring Him the weight.
Bring Him the sorrow.
Bring Him the “I don’t understand.”
And let Him meet you with what only He can give:
Truth.
Comfort.
Strength.
Because even when we feel weak…
Jesus has prayed for us.
Before you read any further… remember this: Jesus has prayed for you. (John 17)
And I can hear the Lord say…
Karen, I have prayed for you.— Love Jesus
(John 17)
Insert your name… and speak that to your heart.
A Heart Moment (for today)
So I’ll ask gently:
What is the Lord asking you to pivot from?
What has been leading your heart lately?
And what would change if you chose to say:
BUT GOD.
Right in the middle of fear.
Right in the middle of grief.
Right in the middle of temptation.
Right in the middle of confusion.
Right in the middle of it all… choose to say: BUT GOD.
I surrender all
not my will but your will be done.
Right in the middle of it all… choose to say: BUT GOD.
I surrender all.
Not my will — but Your will be done.
And let me ask you something real:
Have you ever wondered what would happen if God answered every emotional demand we made… and gave us everything we thought was right?
God sees the bigger picture.
Sometimes what we feel is right… would actually harm us.
Sometimes what we crave in the moment… would lead us away from life.
But the bottom line is this:
You are loved by God.
And you are called to be a light — to others who need your prayers.
So here’s the heart question:
Will you let God mold your heart into Biblical love?
Jesus said:
Will you pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you?
Will you love your enemy with patience, kindness, and prayer?
Will you do good to those who hate you?
Will you bless those who curse you?
Because this is where we see the difference:
Not everyone serves the same father.
And this choice is yours:
Whose Father is yours?
And who will you let shape your heart — your hurts
… or the love God sent for you: Jesus?
Prayer
Father,
Help me choose life.
Help me turn my heart back to You.
Teach me to confess truth when emotions rise.
Teach me to bless You — to command my soul.
Teach me to submit to You and draw near.
And when life hurts, Lord… hold the weight of my heart.
I choose You again today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Come back tomorrow
I hope this is a blessing to you today.
Come back tomorrow — we’ll see what the Lord has waiting for us to find.
I feel Him circling two words: “confess”… and “but.”
If you’d like, prepare your heart and study with us by reading these Scriptures ahead of time:
Romans 10:9–10 — confess and believe
Psalm 103:1–2 — bless the Lord (command your soul)
James 4:7–8 — submit to God, draw near
Prayer:
Lord, prepare my heart to turn fully to You.
To God be the glory.
Thank You, Jesus.
Love in Christ
Karen Rowe
Hope in Today Ministries, Inc.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Scripture References (Truth Anchors)
📖 Treasure & the Heart — Matthew 6:21“
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”
📖 Seek First — Matthew 6:33“
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
📖 Life & Death / Blessing & Cursing — Deuteronomy 30:19“
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life…”
📖 Confess & Believe — Romans 10:9–10
Confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart — salvation comes through faith.
📖 Bless the Lord / Command Your Soul — Psalm 103:1–2
“Bless the LORD, O my soul… and forget not all his benefits.”
📖 Submit / Resist / Draw Near — James 4:7–8
Submit to God, resist the devil, and draw near to God.
📖 Jesus Prays for Us — John 17
Jesus’ prayer for His disciples — and for all who would believe through their word.
A quick note from my heart…
I know this devotion became a little longer than planned — but the Lord was stirring these truths on my heart, and I want to be obedient. I truly believe someone needed to hear this tonight.
Additional Scripture References (for deeper study)
📖 BUT GOD: The Turning Point — Ephesians 2:1–5
We were dead in sin… BUT GOD, rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ.
📖 Jesus is our Lord and our Head — Colossians 1:18
Jesus is the Head of the body, the church.
📖 One Body, Many Members — 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
We are one body in Christ, and each member has a part and a purpose.
📖 Growth by Staying Connected to the Head — Ephesians 4:15–16
The body grows as it stays joined to Christ, the Head, and every part does its work.
📖 Not My Will, but Yours — Luke 22:42
Jesus surrendered fully: “Not my will, but thine, be done.”
📖 Love Your Enemy / Pray / Bless — Matthew 5:44
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
📖 Do Good / Bless Those Who Curse — Luke 6:27–28
Do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.
Even here… even now… choose life — and whisper it with faith: BUT GOD.
Because when your faith meets God’s faithfulness… you will never be the same.
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