This is a continuation of He Means It! If you haven’t already, you can catch it here. All caught up? Let’s pick up where we left off . . .
As God works perseverance in me, He has been training me to share my feelings with Him rather than throw accusations at Him. So, whereas before I would say “how could you allow this to happen?” Or “have I not been faithful to You?” Other times I would repeat His own words to Him: “Have you said to seek You in vain?” (Isaiah 45:19)
Now my accusatory tone is gradually fading and giving way to a softer tone. So nowadays I say to Him: “It really hurts me to know that You can answer this prayer in a flash, but You choose not to.” Or, “I don’t understand why it has to play out this way, but I choose to trust that You are good and Your plans for me are good. I may not see it now, but perhaps one day I will understand.”
And you know what? When I share my feelings with Him in this way, I feel the pain lift. I sense His presence and deep love for me. His peace comes over my mind. In that moment, I’m still in the valley but aware that He is with me, and I am protected.
Then the wait becomes bearable.
Two years ago I would hear Isaiah 43:1–2 and declare “no rivers or fires for me!” Ha! But today, I totally get that He means what He says.
So, should you find yourself in a death-dark valley, or a river that’s threatening to sweep you over, or a blazing fire, you can trust that He is right there with you. Yes, you’ll see the darkness, flames or river. But, He is in it with You.
If you choose to go through it with the Lord as your confidant, He will use the storm to reveal to you the depths of His love for you. The situation will not break you. He will bring you out on the other side.
Stronger.
"And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)
Do you believe this? Comment “amen” if you do.
If you don’t already have a relationship with God –through Jesus– and you would like to know where to start let’s chat here.