The past couple of months have been a bitter-sweet time in my life. I’ve had many things to rejoice and celebrate about, but I’ve had some things that didn’t exactly make me want to shout Hallelujah. I’ve had a few (maybe a little more than a few. Lol) crying sessions – times when I felt like the lights had been turned off and I was sitting in the dark all by myself. It’s been a pretty intense roller-coaster ride.
It’s funny how during such times everything that’s going good in your life seems to be wiped out of your brain – almost like a partial brain amnesia if there’s any such thing! – and all you can remember or all your mind focuses on are the things that are not going so well! All the blessings you wake up to every single morning don’t mean anything to you. All that runs through your head are those temporary difficult situations, those unmet expectations or challenging circumstances. The past few months have been exactly these for me.
I’ve questioned God, been impatient with Him, been mad at Him… girl! I think I’ve even raised my voice at him! One thing I never did though was doubt Him or stop loving Him. I didn’t doubt for one moment if He was real, or if He loved me. I didn’t doubt His power or ability, or the fact that He’s God. No, none of that! I was just mad! Mad that He seemed to be taking too much time! That He wasn’t doing things my way!
I wanted them done my way!
But see… that’s where we all miss it! He’s not going to do anything your way! But His way, and you could cry a river of tears, or climb on the highest mountain and scream at Him, He’s still going to do it His way (Isn’t that just annoying! Lol)
I’ve had a few words of encouragement that have kept me going through this period and I’d like to share those with you so they can be of help to you whenever you’re faced with similar circumstance
1. Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Don’t you just hate it when you’re facing that difficult situation and people tell you “God is in control”? lol! Well I do! Sometimes I just want to scream when I’m told that! Because at that moment it seems like He isn’t. But truth is, He IS in control! He has a perfect plan for you, and it is meant for your good. He’s working out ALL things for your good! – Even the things that don’t feel so good, even the things that hurt or the things that don’t seem right – He is working it ALL out for your good! When you find it difficult to believe, or trust Him, be certain that there’s no lie in His word. His word is truth! Hang on to it.
2. Hebrews 1:9 – You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God your God has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.
If you love his commands and obey Him, why would you think that He doesn’t care about what makes you happy? You’ve given your love, your life, your body, emotions, thoughts and everything to Him; you have given up the evil pleasures and gratifications of the world and have “loved righteousness”, so be certain that He’ll keep his own part of the deal and will “anoint you with the oil of joy” just like His word says.
3. Galatians 5:22 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, Against such things there is no law.
You might be thinking; ‘how I’m I supposed to get encouragement from this verse when facing a trial?’… This doesn’t seem quite like a verse anyone should use to bring encouragement right? I know… But this is one of my favorite verses in the bible; maybe because I believe it is the essence of true Christianity or maybe because it is a verse that really challenges me … or both.
Why I’m I giving you this verse right now? Because I’d like to think sometimes, God lets us go through those challenging and difficult circumstances so we can produce some fruit! The digging and tilling of soil doesn’t look like it feels good. I mean if I were the soil, I know that should hurt really badly! But at the end of the day, it makes the tree produce better fruit. When you’re in the thick of that situation, take a step back and ask yourself, which of these fruits is God trying to grow out of me? Is it patience, or kindness, or self-control? Or maybe He’s trying to produce more love or gentleness in me. Don’t let all that tilling and digging go to waste. Let the fruit increase in you.
After all is said and done, He still remains God and one thing you can be certain about is He will never stop loving you! For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38 & 39NIV)
So don’t give up yet! Hold on a little longer… and while you’re at it, produce some more fruit.
For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. (Habakkuk 2:3NIV)
I’d love to hear from you! Which are your go-to bible verses when you are going through trying situations and challenging circumstances? Leave a comment below.
Remain Blessed
Apiseh