Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but God delivers them out of them ALL. No matter what trial or triumph Jesus is Lord. There is no promise of a perfect life but there are perfect moments because we serve a perfect God.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God Who does no wrong, upright and just is He.
The death of dreams and dashing of hopes seem so final. Until God says the last word it is not over regardless of what things appear to be. There are numerous situations that we can look to as examples of hope to come. Caterpillars spin themselves into a cocoon because they see their lives coming to an end. Trees shed their beautiful leaves in the fall and in the dead of winter leave behind no sign of life.
There becomes a time when life begins brand new for the cocoon, much better than the life he gave up. He is now a beautiful butterfly who no longer crawls but can spread his wings and fly. His amazing beauty and new life is another one of God’s beautiful examples of His amazing love. Winter turns into spring. Spring flowers and buds in the warm sunlight are also a reminders that it is not over until God says it is over.
Our prayer requests, hopes, dreams and trusts in God will become bigger and more beautiful than ever imagined when we allow God to hold them in His capable hands. What seems to be a lost hope many times is the season just before the birth of His greatest blessings.
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die. Do you believe this?”
All things are possible with God. If we stray too far and the waters get too deep, He will rescue us. If people let us down, He restores. If we are judged unfairly, He will bring justice. If we are misunderstood, He bridges the gap. Just ask.
Jeremiah 32:27
I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for Me?
Of all the emotions, probably rejection is the most painful and most difficult to not take it personally. It happens to all of us. Growing in grace is not without bumps in the road where people trip and sometimes fall. Most rejections come from someone who is not where God wants them to be and they see others who are still following God’s ways. Their resentment makes them show a host of emotions such as anger, apathy and seclusion. When praying for these people who have hurt us, it’s helpful to try to put ourselves in their shoes. The discomfort they must feel when our faces are a cruel reminder they have gone behind our backs or God’s will is beyond what they are ready to face.
Unknowingly we walk in and sit next to a friend and suddenly they get up and change seats. A friend will come up and speak and hug everyone but us and we wonder what happened. An apology or kind email only makes matters worse. Have we lost that friend?………. No. A family member marries and says don’t call me and I will not call you. Years go by then finally paths cross and the family gets reamed out for no obvious reason. There again, an apology just adds fuel to the angry fire. Have we really lost that family member?…………No. The battle of such rejection is not personal but spiritual. Sure there are times when it’s obvious a wrong has been committed and things are mended and business resumes. It’s these horrible painful rejections when all efforts only make things worse when the person rejecting us isn’t ready to talk. Many times they will include others then the next thing we know a whole group is not speaking making matters even more painful.
How do we get through this pain? We cannot, especially when we care about the person rejecting us. But what can be done is cling to God. God is not the one who is rejecting us. Neither is it really the friend or family member. It is a spiritual battle between God and the heart of the person who yielded to temptation. A sincere prayer for the person who hurt us where we pray that God will heal their discomfort will please God. That is the greatest love we can offer these loved ones who do not seem to love us anymore. We are offering God’s love when our own love doesn’t seem to be sufficient. God can change even the most stubborn heart and His rocking chair never wears out when we need to sit in His lap.
Isaiah 41:9-10
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
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.
A baby’s first steps are exciting. A dad bends down and holds out his loving hands, barely far enough where the baby has to take a step but close enough to catch him if he trips up. As the precious child takes one step then another, his full concentration is on the two loving hands reached out to him. With the child’s full concentration on those two hands he pays no attention to the squeaky toys he steps on or the wheeled pull toy he almost trips over. One shaky step at a time and much encouragement from dad he finally makes it into his dad’s arms. There is much celebration, photos, hugs and rejoicing.
What if the child had of tripped? No problem. Dad stands him back up and reaches out his hands once again.
There are no limits on how many times we can try. There is no such word as failure for one who doesn’t quit. God’s loving hands are waiting every time as we walk over, under, around and through obstacles into His grace. With full focus on the loving hands of our Lord obstacles are only an inconvenience. It’s when we look at the obstacles that the inconveniences become road blocks. God understands when obstacles lure our focus and He will stand us back up where we can walk again toward His grace.
Matthew 14:28-31
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” He said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”