From time to time, each of us deals with trials and tribulations that put us to the test. Sometimes our faith is tested while at other times, adversity just intensifies our belief in God and His provision for us. This past summer, our family dealt with a number of issues that all seemed to come together at the same time – or close to it – and each of them seemed insurmountable. When you combined them all together, it appeared to be overwhelming.
At first, I wondered how we would ever get through each of these items. To be sure, the death of Janet’s mother and father occupied two spots on the list, but there were others that affected our family almost as deeply. After all, how do you ever get used to the death of both parents when you have known them for 60 years? In the midst of all these trials I had a sense of divine peace and started to call this litany of problems “the big six”. There were health issues, business concerns and personal matters – all of great importance to one or more members of our family. When I looked at them collectively, I didn’t know how the family would fare without falling apart.
Several days into the crisis, I consciously made the decision that I would turn everything over to God and leave it up to Him to sort it all out. I laid it all at the foot of the cross. As I sit here and write these words, I can see how foolish it was of me to decide to leave it up to God. I really didn’t have any choice. I can’t control whether I draw another breathe let alone whether or not I could solve my own problems. I figured that sooner or later these issues would go away or get dealt with as opportunity presented itself. I should say that at least four of these items have successfully gone away, or are in the process of being dealt with. As with most things in my life, it has been in God’s perfect timing.
You must have noticed that not all 6 issues are behind us. In fact, we have added one to the list in the meantime. But God is slowly teaching us patience and rewarding our faithfulness with additional blessings. We are grateful for this. But there’s no denying that we look forward to the day when “the big six” have all been successfully dealt with and that should be by the middle of December if the current timelines hold up. And the new addition to the list? That should be over by the end of the week, God willing.
So there you have it. Insurmountable issues that are being handled one at a time – bite size pieces if you will. And all with a sense of peace that I didn’t think possible. The verse for this evening is from Psa. 55:22, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” My encouragement this evening is that God wants you to cast your troubles on Him. He has an unlimited capacity to deal with more than you can ever lay at His feet – your problems and those of every other person who has ever lived. My prayer is that you will use the Father to find peace and learn patience as necessary to get through the trials and tribulations of your own life. Because each of us has our own “big six”. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…