It’s been a crazy week in our household. I had a significant inflammation flare-up, feeling it even in my brain. I had weird sensations I can’t explain. The next day my husband was caught in a tick infestation while doing outdoor work, and my son was stung twice by wasps in the exact location. (Thankfully, he’s not allergic. We had no idea.) Then plumbing went from bad to worse with sewage backup. I’ve been running the shop vacuum and keeping fans on soaked carpet. As I write, we are waiting on a plumber. I wonder where the money will come from after a large bill with recent vehicle issues. There is no one to blame, but there is One to praise.
I didn’t realize years ago that God always seems to prepare my heart for trials before, soothe during, and comfort me even following as I remember.
Recently, I have heard several interesting points that have stuck with me through this:
- Trails tend to proceed miracles if you are walking with the Lord.* God uses difficult situations to grow our hearts. We do have to be willing to join Him in this work, though. In other words, are we willing to be changed by the situation and trust Him, or will we grumble and complain instead?
- I read a couple of days ago in Gretchen Rodriguez’s book The Encounter that one should “Be fully present with the Lord instead of wholly consumed by problems.”
- Psalms are filled with great prayers for times of trouble. Consider this one I recently enjoyed studying: Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. (Psalm 25:16-18) I learned that “distress” in Hebrew means “narrowness” used figuratively. Do you ever sense that walls are pressing against you, that you feel pressured and trapped? That’s what comes to mind in this verse. I can ask the Lord to turn his face toward me and see what I’m going through. I can ask him to comfort me.
- We don’t like to think we have anything that needs to be forgiven when troubles come. But recently, I’ve been wondering if there is more to ask forgiveness for than we are willing to admit. For example: Have you doubted God in your trouble? Have you graveled in self-pity over the circumstance? Have you tried to milk the pain for all it’s worth, looking for others to comfort and pity you instead of looking up to Him? Have you complained and stopped praising God in the midst of it?
- The community has more value than some of us independent and introverted people want to admit. Sometimes, we have to reach out for prayer. When life gets discouraging, don’t be afraid to ask. I can get shy about asking for personal prayer unless I’m in a trusted group. I either don’t want to burden others, fear people will tire of my health prayer needs, or fear others will think my need isn’t enough to pray for. (Yeah, I know… I still have some healing to work on. There are probably some other underlying issues and misbeliefs there.) When I did ask openly for prayer regarding this week’s health needs, I was amazed at the people who encouraged me and/or prayed for me. I slept amazing that night and had one of the best days I’ve had in a long time!
Meanwhile, here are the reasons we can still praise the Lord in this.
- The Lord is gracious and merciful to all who love His name.
- He forgives all who ask for it.
- He is steadfast even if we aren’t.
- He helps and comforts, guides, and corrects.
- He never leaves us, even when we feel we are alone.
- He loves us so much that he even provided written scriptures for us to soak in his truth, which also comforts and directs.
- He provides precisely what is needed at all times.
Those are my quick thoughts for today. I may explore these thoughts a little further in future articles.
* Hal Donaldson, speaking in an interview with Susie Larson, July 13, 2024, an episode titled “Caring for Yourself and Serving a Hurting World with Hal Donaldson.” Susie Larson’s episodes can be found on Spotify or the FREE Faith Radio app.