We serve a God who is beyond capable of making a way when there seems to be no way. And yet, none of us seem to escape the heartaches that humanity is subjected to here are on earth. It’s through the heartaches, that we’re all faced with the question:
“Do I believe that God is still in control?”
Those that truly stand to believe this to be true, are the ones who have kept their faith through the personal journey of pain, heartache, loss, and all kinds of challenges. The ones who have walked through unspeakable tragedy and heartbreak and can still say that God is Love and is Good. It’s their testimonies that help to build the faith of others as they walk through their own personal despair and suffering.
The world throws a myriad of suggestions at a grieving soul – ways to try and numb the pain and confusion of heartache. But when a child of God determines to trust… to love… and to honour God in the midst of a difficult and bleak circumstance, I believe that not only is God faithful to carry them through, but more than that He secures a stronghold in them where they begin to trust Him confidently and fully with their lives. As they take refuge in Him, He helps shield their hearts, keeping them in the shelter of His protection. (ref. Psalm 18)
As I’ve listened to many friends grieve this week because of their own personal heartaches, I wish I could instill hope where they feel hopeless and show an abundance of love in the midst of their brokenness. That they could borrow my hope until they see hope for themselves that they can cling to…rely on…and speak out.
Lately, I’ve thought often of Paul’s words as he tells the church in Corinth of his and Timothy’s experience in Asia.
“We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God…” – 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (NLT)
The reality of the pain that we face in our lifetime can seem like it’s beyond enduring at times. Our pain can debilitate and overwhelm us and cause exhaustion to the point we feel is the end. Our only hope is Jesus. Our only hope is found in relying on His power and strength to carry us through.
If you’re struggling right now, may this be of some encouragement to you. And if you’re reading this right now and this isn’t really resonating with your personal situation, can I encourage you to reach out to someone today who you know is struggling? May we be women who share the hope that we have in Jesus with others. Giving them the opportunity to borrow from the hope that we have. Let’s point others to the only way we know forward – to rely on our ever-faithful God.
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