Why is it that when we find ourselves in the middle of
troubling times or even just a situation where we are struggling for answers,
one of our last instincts is to turn to God and offer up a prayer? Why does it
come so easily for us to turn to those around us and to try and find answers on
our own, when we know that our greatest help is just a prayer away?
These questions hit me hard about a year ago when my family
was going through some really hard times. Throughout the beginning of the
situations, I tried everything in my power to be the strong one and be there
for my family, but nothing was working and things kept getting worse. When the
final straw was pulled, I had nothing left to give of myself until I was
reminded of God’s unfailing strength and love, if only I would completely
surrender my struggles to Him.
I knew God was with both my family and I from the very
beginning, but I got caught up in wanting a tangible solution that would solve
our problems right now. The hard times were not getting any easier when I was
trying to still control some of the situations, but as soon as I handed
everything over to Him, there was a huge burden lifted. He has showed his
unfailing strength over and over again through this situation now that I am
consistently turning it over to Him and trusting Him fully to bring
deliverance. He is repeatedly reminding me that He never fails in any
situation, no matter how deep the valley is.
Turning to God completely, and letting go of all my
struggles is something I am really working on. No matter if the problem is a
small worry or a deep struggle, He is repeatedly showing me that if I turn to
Him first, have Him as a reflex and patiently wait, he will bring deliverance.
I find comfort in the verse from Job 13:15, “[… though He slay me, yet will I
wait for and trust Him…]. God is with us, and even though we do not understand
the suffering we are going through, He will bring good out of it, we just have
to turn to start instinctively turning it all over to Him.
“He is repeatedly reminding me that He never fails in any situation, no matter how deep the valley is.” halleluia.
Staci it takes some people so long to understand this and I’m glad that you understand it now. It will be of great use this summer and the rest of your life.
C.S. Lewis once said “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.” All too often God is our absolute last resort when he should be our first; great post Staci.
Wow!! What a great post!! I was checking out this sight for your mission trip and really enjoyed reading your article. It’s true – we don’t always think to put God first in everything we do like it says “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
And though we know that God does not tempt, test or try us with evil, and we know because of Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose.
I will keep you and your team in prayer as you go to Swaziland. I know that this trip will change you into a more powerful woman on the inside – that you will experience the love of God in an even greater way than ever before – and the kids will see God shining out through you.
I pray that your trip is a blessing to the kids there as well as to you and your team. I know that this will be a life-changing experience for you – enjoy it, embrace it – and change lives!!!
Love ya!!