15 Incredible Trades We Make with God
Have you made trades when you received the best end of the deal?
In elementary school, I traded notebooks with a girl in my class. The pink and glitter cover dazzled and captured my attention. But my notebook paled in comparison. So I wondered why she ever agreed to such an uneven trade…to my trading up.
One of Google’s definitions for trade (verb) includes: “exchange (something) for something else.”
A few years ago, I realized I was asking God to make trades with me when I began praying prayers of exchange.
Lord, please exchange my infirmity with Your wholeness; and trade my empty for Your completeness. Amen.
I asked the Lord to exhange my something for His something else.
And our relationship with the heavenly Father is always about trading up. Because what we trade pales in comparison to what He gives us in return.
Our relationship with the heavenly Father is always about trading up. Because what we trade pales in comparison to what He gives us in return. #Trades #God Click To TweetOur _______ for His ________.
So here are 15 of those uneven trades with God straight from the Bible.
Trading Up
1.) Our lack for His bounty.
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance” Psalm 65:11, NIV.
2.) Our shame for God’s mercy.
“But God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—only by his undeserved favor have we ever been saved…” Ephesians 2:4-5a, TLB.
3.) Our sorrow for the Lord’s joy.
“And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” Isaiah 35:10, ESV.
4.) Our darkness for His light.
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” 1 John 1:5, ESV.
5.) Our weakness for His strength.
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV.
God trades our shame for His mercy, our sorrow for His joy, and our darkness for His light. #Trades #God Click To Tweet
Incredible Trades
6.) Our fear for God’s courage.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” Joshua 1:9, NIV.
7.) Our burden for the Lord’s rest.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” Matthew 11:28, NIV.
8.) Our doubt for God’s trust.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding. Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6, NLV.
9.) Our affliction for His healing.
“But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture” Malachi 4:2, TLB.
10.) Our hate for His love.
“We love because he first loved us” 1 John 4:19, ESV.
God trades our fear for His courage, our doubt for His trust, and our affliction for His healing. #Trades #God Click To TweetTrades With God
11.) Our lies for God’s truth.
“So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free’” John 8:31-32, ESV.
12.) Our evil for the Lord’s good.
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8, ESV.
13.) Our trouble for the Lord’s peace.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” John 16:33, NIV.
14.) Our sin for His grace.
“Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Romans 3:24, NLT.
15.) Our death for His life.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23, NLT.
Remember to pray prayers of exchange with God. In last week’s article, we discussed 6 Compelling Benefits of Prayer.
Which trade resonates the most with you?
Everyone who leaves a comment will receive a printable by email of all 15 trades.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:
Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Purposeful Faith/Recharge Wednesday/Worth Beyond Rubies/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected/Candidly Christian and Faith On Fire.
© 2020 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
Number 3-trading sorrow for joy is the trade that I cherish the most. Since I have lost 2 children and miss them with every breath I take, I think often of trading this challenging life for my eternal one, which will include my boys.
Oh, Maribeth, sorry to hear about this great loss. I can’t imagine the sorrow. May the Lord conitnue to exchange your sorrow for His joy until you see Him face to face and your boys.
When I read all of the “trades”, I am reminded of how strong His love is for me and for everyone. What a comfort!
These jaw-dropping exchanges with God are so comforting and confirming of the Lord’s great love and care. Thanks, Melissa.
Karen, I felt the comfort, hope and life of God washing over me as I read these “trade ups” the Lord pours out upon us. Overwhelming love, mercy, healing and grace. Thank you for reminding me again today how good our God is and how much He loves each one of us! May we always say, “I wouldn’t trade Jesus for anything!” Thank you for these words of truth and life!
I agree, Melissa, I woudn’t trade Jesus for anything this world has to offer! He’s the very life in our being and breath in our lungs! Thanks sweet lady!
What a blessing! When I first read your title, my mind started asking “Why do we always want to try and bargain with God?” As soon as I started reading, my entire world brightened. Thank you so much for this inspiring post. Am praising my Savior this morning for ALL He’s given me. “Oh what You have given for me Lord. Help me to be worthy of the price You paid.”
J.D., “Trade” can carry a negative connotation that sounds anything but spiritual. I was not coming from the angle of making a deal or bargaining with God…never! I remember a worship song from years ago by Darrell Evans “I’m Trading My Sorrow” that we used to sing and I loved the lyrics.
It’s so mind-blowing to realize we have the awesome privilege to exchange our measly stuff and heartbroken messy lives for the grandeur of our Heavenly Father.
I can’t choose one over the other, Karen, because they are all blessed trade ups! Such a great reminder to all of us that when we give God our worst faults, He can and will make us whole in Him.
Blessings!
Martha, I like how you expressed it, “when we give God our worst faults, He can and will make us whole in Him.” Amen, dear friend!
Thank you Karen. I had never thought of some of these trades with God and boy am I getting the better deal. All 15 of these trades are wonderful but I think my favorite is #6 our fear for His courage.
That’s a comforting exchange, Yvonne. And our fear for His courage is definitely timely right now in the world.
This is so powerful! #3 and #5 resonates with me today. But each of them are useful.
Thanks, Karen!
Thank you, Beckie! I’m sure #3 continues to be a real need for you with the great loss of your brother and SIL. Let’s pray now:
“Lord, thank You for the great exchanges you make with Beckie, her less-than for Your more, and her lack for your bounty. So we ask that You continue on a daily basis to take her sorrow away in exchange for Your true and unending joy. Help her heart have joyful anticipation to see her loved ones again when she sees YOU. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
So powerful, Karen! We are always “trading up” — there’s nothing we can EVER do that “makes up” for the gift God gives us, the rest and peace and eternal life He bestows. I’m so thankful for His generous love and mercy!
I’m grateful too, Jessica! Our relationship with the heavenly Father is always about trading up. Because what we trade pales in comparison to what He gives us in return.
Thanks for reminding that I can’t outgive God……He answers my prayers beyond my greatest expectations . I liked all 15 but 8 and 9 apply especially this week.
Hey Ellen, it’s always great to exchange our doubt for the Lord’s trust and our affliction for His healing!
Hallelujah and Amen Sweet Sister in Jesus-Yeshua Christ-Messiah Karen!!
( Hebrews 13:18 KJV ) “Pray for us: for we Trust we have a Good Conscience, in all things Willing to Live Honestly.”!! TRUST in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua!!
( I Thessalonians 5:16-18 KJV ) “Rejoice evermore. Pray Without Ceasing. In every thing Give Thanks: for this is the Will of GOD in Christ Jesus-Yeshua concerning you.”!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
God trades our fear for His courage, our doubt for His trust, and our affliction for His healing. Blessings, Kristi Ann!
Love these trade ups! He always gives us more abundantly than we could ever ask! Love Him. Enjoyed your article, like always encouraging.
Glad this encouraged you, Carla. Yes, how mind-blowing we receive these abundant gifts from the Almighty himself. God bless!
What a beautiful collection of verses to remind us of the blessings we have in Christ! Karen, I love the way you pointed out the benefits we have in Jesus – as trading up. Very unique, and one that will cause me to remember. Thank you! 🙂
Glad this was inspirational to you, Marcie. It’s so wonderful to not only consider all these powerful exchanges with our heavenly Father, but also list them and keep reflecting on them!
Karen, thank you for this writing. Such a needed reminder of God’s goodness to us. Every day I must intentionally trade my trouble for His peace. That’s when I live my best life.
In our present world and definitely what 2020 has brought to our lives, trading our trouble for God’s peace must be on purpose. 🙂
I truly love these reminders! I’m thankful for the many great gifts the Lord gives us: the perishable for the imperishable. It made me think if there are things in my life I need to trade up because God has something better for me!
God always has something better for us than we can ever imagine! Why hold on to our messy and measly things when the treasures of heaven are waiting for us?!
How incredible is it that God allows us to trade up like this! I love these prayers of exchange with God. Glad you linked up at Grace & Truth.
Lisa, so thankful God trades our trouble for His peace, our sin for His grace, and our death for His life.
What a wonderful collection of “trades,” Karen!
Not sure I can pick a favorite since that would change depending on my circumstances!
Yes, our circumstances play a part in the power behind each of these trades and more. Thanks for commenting, Ava!
Thank you so much for putting the gospel on display here in bright colors and flashing lights! We do trade up, and it’s all grace!
All trades of our lack for God’s bountiful treasures are extended from heaven itself, from His love, mercy and GRACE! Thank you, Michele!
Beautiful post! I’m so thankful I traded up to receive his grace for my sin. And trusting Him daily allows me to trade up my insecurities for his sustaining security. Thank you for sharing.
Me too, Lisa. And I love the one you added, trading our insecurities for God’s “sustaining security.” God bless!
Beautiful and uplifting post, Karen! I found it so life giving to meditate on these “trades”, God is so good. While it is a hard choice I would also choose His joy for my sorrow. So many losses in my life, too numerous to count, but painful even now. But one day, that will not be so. Thank you!
Thank you, Donna. Glad this encouraged you. I often reflect on trading sorrow for joy. “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” Isaiah 35:10, ESV.
Hey Karen, very well said and super encouraging. #13, “Our trouble for the Lord’s peace” especially resonated with me today. I know so many individuals and families who are hurting right now. Many with difficulty sleeping. I agree, this is an excellent trade-up.
Yes, Jed. How comforting to know the Lord trades our troubled hearts for His peace that surpasses human understanding. It’s a wow-trade for sure! Thanks for adding your thoughts to the conversation!
Karen,
I have certainly experienced trading my sorrow for God’s joy. Often it’s not a flip of the switch exchange, it’s a slow transformation. Sometimes the old and the new have to coexist until the “new” from God is our normal. I love this idea of trading up. Never are we left holding the short straw. Saving this post to remind me of this truth! Thank you!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, I like how you described it as a “slow transformation.” So good, friend! Thankful to always trade up with the Lord no matter how long it takes. And emailing you the printable!
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