(As it is with most people) I have some friends who are going through very deep valleys, dark moments, and trying times.
For those friends (who may be reading this), I care, I love you, and I am sorry for your pain. But as you know, "God does all things well." He has a plan. Also, "joy comes in the morning," and sometimes the most difficult part of the journey is the most rewarding part. People sometimes say that they would not trade their most difficult trial because it has brought them closer to God and made them into the better person that they are now. Still, I know sometimes the darkness is so thick that "you can't see your hand in front of your face." Sometimes the mental pain is unrelenting and compounded by more troubles.
In those times, all you can do is "hold on." An old colloquial phrase is, "Put out your big anchor." I tell folks that when the storm is fierce and you see no break in the onslaught, "Face the storm, put out your big anchor (or your Sea Anchor), don't worry about moving forward, just trust in the Lord; He will not fail you or leave you."
The same kind of helplessness can come from our small, niggling trials, as well as the monster storms of life. Scripture tells us, "The little foxes spoil the vine." Your mind is bombarded with incessant attacks that rise up, creating insurmountable barriers. Again, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus." In those times, it is not the thundering surge of the tsunami that threatens our doom; it is the constant dripping of unrelenting torment.
It is not always easy to endure those trying times, but it is always possible. The victory is won by faith. When we can't see our way out of a dilemma, we must believe our way out. Deliverance and victory are not obtained by our carnal efforts, or our obstinance, it is won by the Divine deliverance of Christ. But we must believe and we must believe in spite of the "cold hard evidence, which assails us. Without faith it is impossible to please God. "Hold the fort," Jesus will win the day.
Peter started his "water walk" by faith, but when he took his eyes off of Jesus, he became subject to the wind and wave, and then, when he turned his eyes to Jesus, Jesus saved him from his danger.
The observation has been made,
"God's sea is so large,
But my boat is so small..."
"God's sea is so large,
But my boat is so small..."
It has also been said, that,
"We cannot direct the winds,
But we can adjust our sails."
"We cannot direct the winds,
But we can adjust our sails."
Our troubles are bigger than we are, but God is bigger than our troubles. God offers His deliverance to the people who put their trust in Jesus. We are to, "Cast all of our care upon Him, for He cares for us.
Remember, God always does all things well, and everything that we go through is for our good and His glory. "Be not weary in well doing, for in season you shall reap if you faint not."
Remember, God always does all things well, and everything that we go through is for our good and His glory. "Be not weary in well doing, for in season you shall reap if you faint not."
