Recently something a friend shared led me on a stroll down memory lane. There I was … in my car … crying.
“Lord, I can’t take any more bad news.”
Every difficult situation I had encountered up until that day was dealt with the same way: going from a state of shock and disbelief to becoming numb and finally, feeling angry and asking God what we tend to wonder: “Why??” Yes, I have been a believer from a young age, but I’m also a human who faced real struggles. And you know what? I was tired. I was drained. In fact, I told God that I was glad He thought I was strong, but I wasn’t made of bricks. I was so gutsy that I told Him I believed I had met my quota of hard times and needed a break. Quite funny the things we think and say in our weariness, huh?
But God, in His infinite mercy and grace, met me where I was and healed my brokenness. He assured me to trust Him and reminded me of His plans for my life. God gave me strength for each moment and filled me with courage to share my story to point many to His glory.
So that afternoon in the car, I found myself in a different place. Even though I said I couldn’t take any more bad news, I didn’t stop there. With tears streaming down my face, I continued by saying: “But no matter what the outcome is Lord, I choose to trust You and I will praise Your name.”
And then, he finally was blessed with a son. Can you imagine how excited he must have felt? So that was the happy ending to his story, right? Well, Genesis 22 tells us that God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved Isaac. What?? Surely, Abraham must have protested or pleaded with God. But that is not indicated. In fact, all we see is obedience and trust. Abraham went about doing what God instructed to the point where Isaac was laying on the altar to be sacrificed and then, a ram appeared. Abraham didn’t know that would be the final outcome, but he trusted God would provide. What an amazing example of trust we see in this chapter of Abraham’s life. His trust in God wasn’t conditional. Instead, he believed that God had the best plans for his life.
Dear Friend, I don’t know what challenge you’re presently facing, but I’d like to encourage you with the following lyrics from “Sovereign Over Us” by Michael W. Smith:
“There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You’re sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You’re teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us”
Turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be Your glorious name”
(from “Blessed Be Your Name” by Tree63)
