Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
(Ephesians 4:29 ESV)
My heart’s racing! A feeling I don’t want to remember but unable to forget. But God spoke to me! I know I heard Him say it’ll be over in two years and then He will give me the desire of my heart! As promised, He brought back to me something I’ve long for. I’ve waited obediently. Yet, amid the excitement, fear is crippling my attempts to trust God for what He said He would do. Wondering if I imagined all of this?
I telephoned someone to pray for me. As I explained why, I’m met with doubt of having heard from God and instead that I’m actually in a stronghold that I’ve not let go of. I tried to share I had prayed fervently and asked God that if it wasn’t His will then to please remove that desire from my heart. Please just take this from me I pleaded with God countless times! Crying myself to sleep night after night. I only want for me what the Lord wants for me. Nothing more. Nothing less. His will. Not my will. I didn’t want to grieve Him anymore. But what was said to me wasn’t at all what I’d expected.
We must consider if our goal is to hurt or to heal?
I was told God is a Gentleman and He will not take from us something that our flesh is holding onto. He waits for us to surrender it to Him. Of course, it’s absolute truth, God is a Gentleman! He doesn’t impose anything on us. Love isn’t love if it’s forced on us. But I was confused when told the only way to surrender something to God is to actually tell Him, “Lord I surrender this to You.” That it could never be, “Lord take this from me.” Baffled. How could this be so? Why do I have to specifically say, “Lord I surrender” and not say “Lord take this from me.” How is that supported by Scripture?
And He said, “Abba, Father,” all things are possible for You. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.”
(Mark 14:36 ESV)
After I hung up the phone, I started to pray. Feeling grieved by what was said. The suffering I’ve endured the past few years. Those wounds that forever scarred me. It didn’t make sense God would only respond to my need when I tell Him I’m surrendering my problem, my heart to Him. But not when I asked Him to take it because my flesh was too weak for me to freely give it up. I desperately needed His help! Immediately the Holy Spirit brought to mind Jesus’ last night as a free man.
Knowing it was moments before His arrest in Gethsemane, He felt greatly distressed and troubled (Mark 14:32-34 ESV). The Bible doesn’t say He was afraid. It states He expressed He was distressed; these are His true feelings. I know if I were in His place, I’d be horrified! The flesh is weak and the suffering to be endured is beyond comprehension! Jesus knew that. He wasn’t oblivious to what awaited Him. His awareness of human pain was at the forefront of His plight that He’d soon be in. He was then 100% human and 100% God! He knew everything! He knew exactly what was going to happen!
We must be in alignment with God.
In those moments of great distress and anxiety, Jesus Himself prayed to His Father to have that cup of suffering removed from Him, but He wanted the will of the Father to be done and not His own will. That was why He was sent to us, to save us from ourselves. To be the atonement for all of our sins. Those of the past, present, and future. Aware of His skin being ripped off His body, nails piercing His hands and feet, and a spear puncturing His side wasn’t something He looked forward to. In the flesh I can only imagine He was reluctant because he didn’t want to feel that pain. But in the Spirit, He was in agreement and aligned with His Father to accomplish what He came to do!
He didn’t specifically pray that He was going to surrender this cup (of suffering) to the Father. In that realization, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I had pray for my cup to be removed from me as Jesus prayed for His cup to be removed from His Father. The Spirit of God revealed to me as Christ Co-heir, Jesus prayed for the cup to be removed from Him and I too can pray for the cup to be removed from me.
For My thought are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
Scripture tells us Job had suffered greatly. He lost all his children, his livestock, his servants, and suffered terrible boils from head to foot (Job 1-2). In his grief, three friends got together to visit Job and mourn with him. They empathized with him. They wept with him. They tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. It was Jewish custom to sit quietly until the mourner was ready to speak. Their silence was the best they can offer, as Job’s suffering was too great to be consoled with words. After seven day of sitting with Job, his friends spoke.
Starting with Job, discussions went back and forth. Each of his friends had something to say. Eliphaz the Temanite, believed Job was being punished for his sins. Bildad the Shuhite, stated that Job was punished for the sins of his children. Zophar the Naamathite, the crudest of all, sided with both Eliphaz and Bildad and Job deserved the punishment. Friends, who all believed they knew why Job had suffered such pain offered little comfort.
May we love people with God’s heart!
Finally, God spoke! He clearly stated that as much knowledge they had; they didn’t know anything at all. God was and is too infinitely vast to comprehend (Job 38-41). And as this was so for them, so it is for us and for the one who said I was in a stronghold. Job’s friends did well to comfort him. However, his friends assumed that his suffering was the absolute signs of God’s judgment and punishment. A person shouldn’t be made to feel that they must seek repentance (especially when we don’t know why this is happening). As so, I’m led to believe my distress stemmed from not surrendering to God my situation and that I took matters into my own hands. Therefore, I’m paying the price.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
(Romans 12:15 ESV)
The best thing we can do to a hurting confused person is reassure them God is faithful. He promises to be with us. He sees our pain, bottles our tears, and comforts us. I wasn’t sure if what I’d recently experienced was God fulfilling His promise to me or did I bring this upon myself. It’s that uncertainty that prompted me to seek prayer from someone. The Word states where there are two or more gathered in His name, there he is among us. I needed Him!
When faced with suffering, being encouraged can make or break how one moves forward. We need to know that our pain hasn’t gone unnoticed. We need to know that our hearts matter. We need to know that we can count on being comforted. But sometimes we don’t receive these from the source that was sought. As human beings, no one perfect. It’s not that their heart wasn’t in the right place. Instead, it’s understanding there’s an enemy who continues to seek who it may devour day and night!
Discouragement is so real!
Therefore, we must be intentional to choose our words carefully. Our sole focus needs to be on how we can build someone up and not tear them down. Guide them toward the loving arms of our gracious Jesus Christ Who loves us more than we can think or imagine. The One Who holds all the answers. The One Who sacrificially died on the Cross for us. Giving us the freedom we needed then and will always need to be in relationship with our loving Father, our Creator.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
(Isaiah 41:9-10 ESV)
God has been showing me through various ways how He is always for me. He brings to mind the many times He has been there for me. Saving me from myself and from others. He reminds me that this season is no different. He’s faithful. He’s loyal. He’s truth. He delivers. Not once can I say that I’ve gone without. He’s provided all of my needs.
Yes. He’s taken things from me. But I understand He’s been a devoted Father whose only concern has been my wellbeing. He doesn’t want anything for me that isn’t of Him. Nothing that will bring me distress. Some things He removes permanently. Some things He removes temporarily so He can transform the situation that will ultimately bring Him the glory He deserves. He’s a Miracle Worker! Knowing this, I choose to exemplify to others what He desires for me and for them. I want to be the Salt and Light of His Heavenly Kingdom. I want to help others see all He has done for me and that He’s faithful to do for them too.
He equips us with all we need!
By His stripes we are healed and made whole. He speaks to our hearts with a love I’ve never known! He’s always working on our behalf. His promises are always Yes and Amen! He’s all the Peace we need. He’s all the Comfort we need. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t seek Christian counsel. Of course we should. But know that even they are subject to misunderstanding and not offer what God has for us. We have a direct connection to our God Almighty. Turning to the One Who knows our names. The One Who knows how many hairs we have on our heads. He sees the confusion and He will set our paths straight!
Are we believing that God is greater than we can imagine?
Dear Lord Jesus, forgive us for trying to understand and believe all You are. It’s impossible. You’re so much more than we can think or imagine Lord. You are the Great I Am. You’re the Beginning and the End. How can we ever know what the beginning or end could ever look like? For You existed before the Creation! Father help us to seek You in all things. To trust Your promises to us because I know You still speak to us today. Help us Lord to seek Your Word for answers sought in the midst of being distressed. Help us Lord to understand that we are human and fallible and when we don’t receive what we need from counsel, we have a direct connection with You to guide us where we should go. Lord I thank You for all You have done and all You’re working on as I write this. I know You’re available to all who seek You. May we seek You Lord in all things. May we provide comfort to build up those in need Father. May we be sensitive and cautious not to tear anyone down. May we be the Salt and Light of Your Heavenly Kingdom.
It is in Your Son’s Name Jesus Christ we pray. Song: You Are For Me
Amen.
God bless you and yours.
I love you.
In His Grip,