As I came over the hill that’s just before the turnoff to
our house, I saw a devastating sight. Someone must have had an accident. My son in law’s truck was parked on the side of
the road and their 4-wheeler was in the ditch. There were muddy tracks all over
the road. I whispered Jesus’ name as I slowed down and came around the truck. I just knew they’d wrecked the 4 wheeler and I
just couldn't bear the thought that one of my kids or grandkids was riding when
it happened.
As I drove slowly around the truck and I peered into the
front seat, my daughter was driving. She turned and smiled at me. With a few
words exchanged it turned out to be not nearly the devastation that it appeared
to be. They had actually just ridden
through the ditch and got stuck! Relief flooded through my heart and mind as I
drove on to the house.
There are times when we suddenly find ourselves in a tough
situation. It looks bad. Everything was fine just moments before, but abruptly
the whole scene of our life changes. What we see with our eyes convinces us that
there’s been devastation, disaster or worse.
Our hearts beat wildly and tears escape as we try to calm
ourselves. When we find that it’s not
what it appears, we let out a sigh of relief.
It’s true that the 4 wheeler was messed up. They had to pull
it out of the muddy ditch where it had buried up to its axles They had to make
a mess to get the thing unstuck. It was hard work and it took time. But it was
not the terrible scene I had just witnessed with my own eyes.
Maybe you’re going through a rough spot right now. It looks
awful. It caught you by surprise. You’ve tried blinking your eyes to make it go
away. You’ve tried holding your breath. You’ve whispered a prayer and tried to
talk yourself down, but it looks bad. You don’t know if it’s a little trouble
or a total disaster because you’re right in the middle of it. It’s a mess and
you’re trying to hold on for dear life. You weren’t expecting it, but it’s happened.
You didn’t ask for it or deserve it, but here you are in the muddy ditch of
life and you don’t know how it’s going turn out. You came upon your circumstances with no
warning and you’re reeling. It could be the messiness of rejection, dejection
or abandonment. The very person you
thought would stick with you has left. The job you felt so secure in has played
out. The fellowship that was so sweet is over.
Whatever your circumstances, there is One Who will walk with
you through it. He will pick up the pieces. He will clean up the mess. He will
dust you off, bandage your wounds and set you securely on the road again. He
will hold you until the storm cloud passes, He will watch over you as you
survey the circumstances. As you whisper His name, He is already with you.
Oh beloved, do you hear that still small voice? He speaks
words of love and encouragement. He says I AM with you. He says you are never
alone. He shields you from total devastation as He holds you securely in His
loving arms. I AM always going to get you through everything you face. I AM the
one who can make the greatest disaster turn out to be a momentary light
affliction. If you will hold onto Me, I AM going to take you beyond the present
situation you see with your eyes and provide new vision for the road ahead.
Listen to the Father’s heart. He will always always always
love you. He will always always always be with you. He will forever make what
looks bad, turn out for your good and His glory. For you are His and He is
yours. For you are more than the sum of your mistakes, you are more than the
disasters seen with your naked eye. You are bought with a price, redeemed with
love and set for glory in eternity. Trust Him today, right in the middle of
your mess. Together, as you hold tightly onto God’s hand and look away from the
situation and focus on His Word, the disaster will fade into peace. God loves
you and He’s for you and that’s what will always get you through.
Psalm 94:18-19 I cried out, "I am slipping!" but Your
unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. When doubts filled my mind, Your comfort
gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Psalm 69:13-14 But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord,
at an acceptable time; O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness, Answer
me with Your saving truth. Deliver me from the mire and do not let me sink.
Micah 7:7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my
God will certainly hear me.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 That is why we never give up. Though
our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present
troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory
that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see
now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we
see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
1 comment:
Just the words I needed to hear - thank you for sharing
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