I have heard it said that people can be divided into three groups:
- Those who are in a trial
- Those who have come out of a trial
- Those who are going into a trial
As I write this, I am dealing with some stuff that puts me in category 1.
I am working through some hard stuff in my family. For a number of reasons, I chose not to go into detail about the nature of the trials. But suffice it to say that they are difficult enough to strip away any illusion that I have any control over my circumstances.
But in the midst of this, I read what King David wrote in Psalm 55:
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”
Psalm 55:22, CSB
If I cast the burden on God he promises to sustain me. The bottom line is that either this promise is true or it is not. I can choose to believe it or I can chose to disbelieve.
I have chosen to believe and thus far, God has sustained me. Somehow, I have not been overwhelmed by the difficulties.
Ah, but you might wonder if I have truly connected with the reality of the circumstances I am encountering. Perhaps I am simply in denial. Perhaps I don’t understand the gravity of the problems.
Maybe, but then I read that David took on lions and bears in protecting his sheep. Did he not understand the danger that such beasts present?
I’m sure David understood the gravity of his situation, but he also understood that God was with him and he never doubted the outcome.
I’m sure that as things unfold, there are emotions still to be felt and tears yet to be shed. But I can say that so far, I feel as though no matter what happens, I will be OK.
As Job said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job 1:21, CSB
Paul shares his perspective in Philippians 4:
“ I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:11–13, CSB
From a temporal perspective, the worst is yet to come. I know that and it does scare me. I’m also aware that when things get harder, I will have to wrestle with feelings of self pity and abandonment.
But from an eternal perspective, I know that God has not stopped being God, nor has anything that has happened to me or around me has escaped his notice or control.
I must rest in that.
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