But
here’s what I am thinking about and here’s what I’d like you to think
about. What about the times when life is
difficult and things aren’t what we expected or hoped for? Do we praise Him? Do we thank Him? Or do we become bitter and resentful?
I
know there have been times in the past when I have become bitter and
resentful. It’s okay to be honest with
God about our feelings, but once we put it out there on the table the next vital
step to healing is confessing our unbelief, asking Him to heal us. Because He will heal us, if we would humbly
come to Him. I’ve seen Him do it in my
heart. And you know what else friends;
He always answers our prayers (just
not always the way we want).
Yes,
life is still challenging for me. My
health is not what a 28 year olds should be.
I should be able to do more throughout the day without becoming
exhausted, but I can’t. This is a
reality for me. I can’t do the things I
want to do quite yet, but that’s okay.
It really is. And it’s okay for
you too in your own challenges. At
least, it can be. Jesus really will give
us peace through the gracious power of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it takes a long time, and trust me
it’s taken a lot of wrestling, prayer, confession, scripture memorization, and
the choice to believe even when I don’t want too in this area of my life. And this is just one part of my life! It is truly a life long journey of allowing
God to transform all of me and you for His glory and our benefit!
I
look forward to the day when my health is restored to me, but in the meantime I
am choosing to rejoice and be glad! I
know my God is more than able to restore my health like I’ve never experienced,
but even if He didn’t I know my God has done great things for me; far too many
to count. You know, that whole raising
me to new life, cleansing me of every sin thing He did through His Son Jesus
Christ? Yah, that’s a pretty big deal, and something to rejoice over! Sure, I won’t experience it fully until I
meet my Savior face to face, but this is why the Bible says “we live by faith, not
by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).” We’ve got to
stop viewing our lives and the condition of the world through our own
lenses. Instead, we need to look at the
world through God’s lenses, seeing the bigger picture of redemption through
Jesus Christ in our lives and the world.
I don’t know about you, but this gives me hope and something to rejoice
over! When we really study the Bible we
realize just how caring our Father is and how big of a plan He has for all of
creation.
So
even though my health isn’t good, I will rejoice in God my Savior, believing in
His love for me. I love what the book of
Habukkuk says (I would actually recommend reading the whole book). Habukkuk complains to God quite a bit
throughout the book, but listen to the declaration of this prophet at the
closing of the book.
“Though the fig tree
does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no
cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God
my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my
strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the
heights.”
Hab. 3:17-19
What
about us? Can we make this same
declaration of faith?
