Towards the end of the month of October, someone close to me was going through a really difficult health situation during pregnancy. This made me to fear what could be the outcome of this situation. One night, she called to tell us that the situation was getting worst, and the doctors around did not seem to attend to her properly. At that point, everyone around me started crying. I was in despair too but I remembered the ARISE SISTER topic of the month “GAIN IN PAIN.” I remembered that one of the approaches to gain in times of our pain is to cry out to God. At the moment I said to myself; “I will not drop a tear but will refocus my attention by crying out to God with songs of praise and prayers of faith.”
Earlier that morning, I had read Exodus 15 which showed me how the Israelites worshiped God after God had made them walk through the middle of the red sea on dry ground and liberated them from the Egyptians. So while praying that night, I kept on singing this song the Israelites sang in Exodus 15:11: “Who is like you among the gods, O LORD –glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonder.” I also called family and friends that night and they all joined in intercession. While still praying, a sister texted me Isaiah 41:10-14 which says: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. All who rage against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob, little Israel, do not fear, for I myself will help you,” declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.”
This passage helped me to focus solely on God because at that point there was nothing I could do. I could not travel that night to be with the one who was going through the hard times and I could not call any doctor to attend to her. I really only had one option “TO FOCUS ON GOD IN THE PAIN WE WERE GOING THROUGH”. Once I finished praying I felt a kind of inexplicable peace in my heart despite the fact that I did not know what was happening. I did not call again to find out what was happening at the moment and I went to sleep. Amazingly in less than 30 minutes, a sister called me with shouts of joy that to tell me that the situation had been handled as the one who was under the health distress had been revived. During the time we were praying, a new doctor and his team attended to this sister and did an emergency surgery. Yes I appreciated the doctors but one thing stood out clear. IT WAS GOD. I remember proverbs 21:1 says “In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.” God had directed the heart of the doctor to attend to this sister. I could not sleep the whole night as I was amazed at what God had done, what He was doing and what He will do. The days after were days of worship and I found myself testifying about the encounter of Jehovah Nissi, THE LORD MY BANNER who had rescued us from pain.
RECONSIDER YOUR FOCUS IN TIMES OF PAIN. Moments of pain are inevitable so long as we live in this world. What makes the difference is how you handle the pain. Jesus Christ had moments of sorrow and in Matthew 26:38-39, Jesus decided to focus on God as he prayed and depended on God’s guidance and will through the pain He had to go through to safe humanity. Jesus Christ’s focus on God enabled Him to go through every trial until the moment He was crucified, died and saved mankind. While going through the pain, you may not see at the moment but the end is always glorious for those who focus, trust and obey God.
My dear sister or brother reading this, GOD IS REAL. He is willing to help you through the pain and turn your pain into your testimony. It is with this understanding that king David says in Psalm 23:4 that “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” There is Gain in Pain only when the focus is right.
Accept JESUS CHRIST as your personal Lord and Savior, remain in Him and walk closely with him through every season of your life. Even in times of hardship, keep your focus on Jesus Christ. He is real and is here to help you!
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