Life. Can. Be Tough.
You know it. I know it. We’ve all live in those moments.
Some of those moments in my life include: a stage III cancer diagnosis, a job loss, and one of my children fighting for her life.
My list goes on. I bet you can identify with and add on to it. You too, have been shaken. Shaken to the very core of your being, your very soul, your faith.
Why did God let this happen?
Hebrews 4:4b citing Psalm 95 reminds, “Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts.”
Sometimes, it’s tempting to give up on God.
Our enemy whispers, “He doesn’t see you. He’s not rescuing you. HE doesn’t even care.”
Using these lies, the enemy tries to steal our hearts from God, freezing us into spiritual inactivity and complacency.
Yet, God is there. He is indeed faithful. He is diligently working behind the scene where the curtain conceals our view of how HE is setting the stage for an incredible ending. An ending of loving redemption directed by an extraordinarily extravagant Father who scripts only the very best for His beloved children, you and me.
So, what can we do while we wait during this intermission? That time between critical crisis and comfortable contentment?
When the feeling of “I must do something, anything,” involuntarily consumes the consciousness?
Rest.
Rest in Him.
Trust.
Trust in Him.
Surrender all to Him.
Oh, I know it seems impossibly hard. I know sometimes it is beyond serious- it’s literally life-or-death. I know that feeling of “I don’t know how I’m going to live with this.“
Hebrews 4:9 reminds us a Sabbath rest is important for God’s people. When I’m shaken I want to do something, anything. I want to feel I can change it, control it some how, some way.
But when I rest, I must stop. Stop the activity. Both physically halt my “helping” hands and mentally, mindfully mince my mulling it over to inspire some solution.
While at rest, I must leave it with God. I must walk away and trust HE’s got it.
And He does.
I survived cancer, over a decade now, cancer-free.
Our family survived lay-offs and career changes, and we now have more time together as a result.
Our daughter survived her life-flight and is gracefully learning to live with a chronic illness. (Had God not led us to change careers through that job loss, her medical management would be much more stressful and challenging.)
God knew what He was doing.
He always does.
In the midst of being shaken to my very core, He held me close and like a little child, I clung to Him fretfully and fearfully.
He NEVER failed me.
Whatever you are enduring today, will you join me in this prayer?
Dear Heavenly Father, Please hold me even when I am shaken to the core. Guard my faith. Strengthen it. Don’t allow the enemy to freeze me into fearful noncompliance. Let me witness Your faithfulness as I learn to fully rest in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.