Last Thursday, my son was playing basketball with his friends at the local park. He was running around, dribbling the ball, and making buckets. This guy was just having a good time with his friends. Then, just as he was cross checking an opponent, he tripped on a crack in the pavement and down he went. The full force of his weigh was forced onto his elbow. Crack! it went. The pain shot through him like a lightening bolt. As he sobbed while holding his now broken arm, his friend called me to let me know that he hurt his arm. This friend walked him home where I assessed him and came to the conclusion that it certainly is broken. To the ER we went.
Before he even had an x-ray, he knew that it was broken. He could physically feel it. Before the x-ray, I knew that his arm was broken by the actions that he was exhibiting and the emotive expressions he displayed. He was sobbing, and he guarded his arm. He would not allow his arm to be straightened. He held his arm close to him. He had never experienced pain like this before.
Have you ever been hurt either physically or emotionally so bad that you couldn’t think of anything else but that pain? Have you ever experienced pain or a traumatic event and you felt no one believed that it was as bad as you were telling them? Did you feel as though you were all alone? Did you feel discouraged? How can you remember God’s good promises and comfort in these times?
We can look at many examples in the Bible that can help us in these times of difficulty. One such case that I am reminded of is in the book of Daniel. Daniel has a couple of instances of extreme difficulty, and yet, he remained faithful to God. He put what the Lord had said over the king of the land every time. He had faith that God knew all things and was sovereign over all. God allowed Daniel to go through some difficult experiences to fulfill His purposes. Daniel was exiled from his land and was made a part of the king’s court. He was trained in this land, which was so different than his identity as one of God’s people and his heritage. Then, he was tested to reveal a dream and interpretation of said dream to the king that all the other wise men could not do. He could either deliver or die. God revealed it all to him. Then, the other leaders were jealous of him and his position. So they set a trap for him, which caused him to be thrown into a lion’s den. However, God delivered him from the mouths of the lions, and God delivered the accusers into the lions’ den to be devoured.
God delivers His people from where He does not want them to go. God always rescues His people, sometimes from death and disaster and other times through death or despite dire circumstances. God sees your every situation and your struggle. If you believe Christ for salvation, you are a citizen of His kingdom. God is with His people at every moment, always acting on behalf. He never looks away when His children face suffering or danger.
Right now, my son is in surgery, and even though I could be a worried mess, I am not. I trust in His steadfast love, faith, mercy. He is so good to us. He is, right now, standing right next to my son keeping Him safe from all hurt, harm, and danger. God is guiding each of the people in that operating room to help him and care for him well. God is with us, his parents, as we await word about how he has done in surgery.
So when you feel as though you are going through so much and that you are not seen or cared for in any of this, know that God is right there with you. You can find a lot of different examples in the Bible that may build you up and strengthen your faith. Look to Him. Pray to Him. And trust in Him.
Gotta go fill up my cup…..
Coffee with Candee 