I know you feel like you can’t take another trial in your life, and I agree. But God is the God of trials, too. He will be with you.
Life can be hard. After our son Eddie passed away in 2013, we began to endure the complicated and complex world of grief. A whole new world of pain and confusion thrust itself upon us. We didn’t just face the agonizing emotions of grief but were immediately hit with so many other sinful actions of others that made life unbearable at times. Even as I type this, the grief, along with those sinful actions, hasn’t ceased. God has allowed it, and we trust Him through it!
I began to think of trials differently and started using the phrase “harder than hard” to describe them. We are so used to trials and difficulties being fairly predictable. There is a beginning, a short middle, and an end. That’s followed by a season of peace until the next trial hits. Yet, as you get older, you learn that trials get more brutal and challenging, and some have the longest middle you have ever seen! When you have one thing after another after another, it can lead to feelings of despair and hopelessness.
We must not lose hope in Jesus because of our pain. He sees things we don’t and knows what He’s doing in our lives.
As I read in my devotions today, I came to Genesis 43, which opens with the announcement of a “severe famine” in the land. What? Hasn’t Jacob suffered enough? Hasn’t Joseph suffered enough? Oh, wait. This is the famine Joseph prepared for. Yes, he was ready.
Genesis 43:1 (NKJV): Now the famine was severe in the land.
This ‘severe famine’ was the final move of God in reuniting Joseph with his dad and family. Yes, Joseph’s life was one long, severe famine inflicted, you will. One long trial made up of many trials that were thrust upon him. He suffered at the hands of others’ sinful choices. But this last famine, the severe one, was the final move of God.
There’s a final severe famine coming your way, too. Don’t misunderstand it. You will lose hope if you look at the pain and the people perpetuating it. But if you look to the one who loves you and has a perfect end for you, you will endure and face it with hope.
Who knows how God will use this painful situation in your life? He does!
I know you feel like you can’t take another trial in your life, and I agree. But God is the God of trials, too. You never know His next move.
Trust Him! He will be with you.
Joshua 21:45 (NKJV) “Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.”
