An extended family member received some devastating news a few weeks ago. Since then, we have gathered together to pray for a miracle, encouraged one another, and set up help in practical ways. Wisdom from doctors is helpful, obtaining information is important but looking to Jesus is vital.
In the midst of difficulty, we may feel encouraged one moment and in another feel like we’ve been punched in the gut. Waves of fear threaten to engulf, but we must remember Jesus is still able to bring peace into the storms of life. In the hard times should we weep, wrestle or walk?
- WE WEEP
The book of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to weep. Jesus wept over the death of his friend Lazarus even though He knew Lazarus was about to be raised to life (John 11:35). Hannah wept “in bitterness of soul” over her barren womb (1 Samuel 1:10). Joseph wept on seven different occasions in his story told in the book of Genesis. He tried to forget his sorrow and even named his firstborn son “Manasseh” which means, “who makes to forget”. In the story of Joseph, we see the power of offense lifted in the process of forgiveness not in forgetting.
Joseph was able to whole-heartedly declare to his brothers who sold him into slavery:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20
I believe Joseph was able to say this because he allowed himself to weep over the wrong done to him. There are times we must allow ourselves to weep as well.
- WE WRESTLE
Jacob wrestled with God (Genesis 32:24).
Wrestling is an intimate sport, done between two people intending to show who is superior. Jacob wrestled for position within the womb with his twin brother and years later was still wrestling for position. When the day came to face his brother again, God invited Jacob into a different kind of wrestling match – a wrestle for a blessing only God could give. God is not intimidated or offended by our wrestling.
When hard times and questions come, we may need to wrestle with our faith in the presence of the Lord. What we come away with is an ability to face life’s obstacles in a different light. We find out we’re stronger than we thought and that God’s touch leaves a lasting mark.
- WE WALK
Adam and Eve walked with God in the garden. Enoch walked with God and was commended as one who pleased God in his faith (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5). You and I were created to walk in continuing fellowship with God as well.
Sometimes the only thing we know to do is to put one foot in front of the other. A friend and I recently chatted over lunch about difficult seasons in our lives. What encouraged us the most was the constant reminder in Scripture neither to fear nor enter into worry but to keep walking out our faith. One day at a time. One moment at a time.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life … Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? … But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:25-34
In the face of fear we can choose to take the Lord at His word: He will never leave us or forsake us and He is always with us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
The road may be dark or feel lonely, but we must trust, no matter the terrain, that the Lord is with us. The comfort of this truth has brought countless sojourners to the other side of difficulty and to the other side questioning. Knowing we are not alone helps us stay the course.
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Whether we weep, wrestle or walk – we must choose to see beyond the hard places. We must choose to look through the lens of faith. Faith in God, our loving Father. Faith in Christ, our Savior. Faith in the Holy Spirit, our Counselor and Comforter.
“We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
How about you? Are you currently weeping over something? Wrestling though some tough questions? Or walking through difficulty? I’d be honored to take a moment to pray for you. Would you pray for my sweet sister-in-law, Cindy? We are believing for a miracle from the God of miracles! (Update: Cindy endured valiantly through ALS into the arms of her Heavenly Father. We love and miss her but are certain we will see her again!)
