Delight in the Trial

Originally published Tuesday, 29 January 2013.

 

When fear sinks in.. where do you turn?  Have you ever felt absolute despair and wondered "Where is God?"  I am familiar with the moments when it feels like God is silent and your troubles are deafening.  When our prayers seem to go unanswered, it is then that God is doing the most work.

 

A year ago, I was making the 100 mile trip back to my hometown to visit family and pick up my husband, Jon, from military training.  At the time I was experiencing severe pain from a medical condition and knew that another surgery was inevitable.  Everything in my life felt overwhelming and the future seemed unclear.  I prayed often for God to let me know that it was going to be okay.  The Lord was silent.  

 

His response was.. stillness.

 

Psalm 46:10 tells us, "Be still, and know that I am God."  

 

To see the bigger picture of God's message, we need to start at the beginning of the chapter.  Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."  

 

The keyword is "ever-present".  God is all-knowing and omnipresent.  He is in all things.. even when we feel crushed by trials and loneliness.  God is always there.

 

As I was driving that day, I received a message that Jon was going to be dropped off at a location closer to our home and not at the location I was driving toward.  Therefore, the 100 mile trip was pointless.  

 

Or was it?

 

When I reached the city, I turned my radio to the local Christian station.  It was a joy to listen to this station every time I visited.  Through each word in the music I could feel my walls begin to crumble.  

 

The DJ came on air and shared their daily bible passage.  Her sweet voice penetrated straight to my heart as she said, "If you are going through some trials and feel lost without God's guidance, then hold tight to this encouraging word of the day. Psalm 37:4 says Delight yourself in the Lord and he will grant you the desires of your heart.

 

God's words reached straight into my soul and melted every worry or fear.  I began to cry as His holy Word wrapped around me in an embraceful hug.  I wasn't supposed to be there, but God knew that I would be.

 

Despite our sins, worries, fears and doubt... God finds a way to remind us that He loves us and we aren't alone.  He is always intentional and merciful.  

 

Today.. make it a priority to "delight yourself in the Lord".  He is around us and in all things.  Stop, look and listen.  Have you seen God today?

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