I think it can be so easy to find ourselves in situations where we feel totally powerless, at the mercy of some thing or some one else. Such times remind us that control of our lives and situations are illusions. It exposes our sense of vulnerability, our fragility.
It is at such times we discover the chinks in our armor, the gaps in our faith, and the level of our relationship with the only One we can rely on to sustain us.
One thing is certain. Such times will come to us many times in our lives. Very often they do not come when we feel strong, but at times when we already feel pressed on every side, weighed down, and weary.
Certainly the apostle Paul could relate to us in such times as he wrote in 2 Corinthians 4: 8-9:
“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” NIV
His words remind us that as children of the Father, those things we suffer cannot destroy us despite our frailty because of His Spirit within us.
As His children, we have not been promised in this life that all will go well. We have not been promised we will not suffer hardship in health, relationship, or finances.
We HAVE been promised that He will be with us and never forsake us during such times.
Again, Paul speaks of this later in 2 Corinthians 12:9:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
How foolish we are when we are tempted to believe we can stand without Him!
A few months ago our youngest granddaughter, 13, learned she would need serious spinal surgery. Upon hearing of this, her response was one of trust that the Lord would be with her, faith that He would undertake for her in all she would need. I wrote of this in June (The Faith of a Child).
Over the past month I have had a front row seat to see her walk through this time. I have watched her parents as they grappled with a sense of powerlessness as she experienced intense pain. On one day the pain became so acute that they heard her cry out to the Lord pleading with Him for relief, for rescue. She asked that if He could not take away the pain that He take her home to be with Him.
But then she also began to pray loudly through the whole counsel of scripture from Genesis to Revelation. She reminded Him of His faithfulness and promises from generation to generation. She lived out the faith she had only spoken of prior to surgery.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1 NIV
The pain did not subside immediately, but He walked with her, with her parents, siblings, grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins and 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 was fulfilled.
Day by day we have watched as her body has been healing. We have rejoiced to see the changes even though the process will not be complete for some time yet.
She did not have the ability to get through the pain, but she made a choice to call on the One in whom she had placed her trust and in doing so, confirmed who she was and whose she was.
None of us can say with certainty what choice we will make when our own strength is gone, our bank account is empty, or our relationships dissolve, but each of us will have a choice of how to respond to what has come to us. That choice will show who we truly are as well as whose we are.
That choice will also reveal the foundation we have laid when things were going well.
To God be the glory! Praying for your sweet granddaughter and entire family.
I appreciate how you draw out the fact that she was still in pain, she still needed the surgery and the long recovery, but in those hard places she called on God. He is our strength and support! God doesn’t always make the tough stuff go away, but He always hopes we will draw near to him in those times. Beautiful testimony!
Thanks so much! You’re exactly right!
I had serious spinal surgery at the same age but didn’t know Christ then. Praising the Lord your granddaughter does and that you all recognize His presence and work in this process! Praying for healing and thanking the Lord for your encouragement today!
I am so sorry you faced that without Christ. It has been hard enough with Him for the first weeks especially. Thanks for your prayers and care! Blessings and love!
Hi Pam,
Therapy dogs certainly perk up and encourage patients, don’t they? Your sweet granddaughter must be a brave girl to know that her strength comes from God! Hoping that her recovery continues!
They very much can and did! She became brave by facing the fear in trust, but it was sorely tested for certain!
Thank you for this beautiful update on your Granddaughter. What a sweet expression of God’s Grace for His little ones. If we could just remember those thoughts when we are faced with our own choices! I will continue to pray for her journey ahead. –Blessings to you!
You’re welcome, Bettie! I thought perhaps those here might be interested. Thanks for your continuing prayers! Blessings on your day!
I loved the JK Rowling quote and how you expanded it. Thanks so much! Blessings to you and yours!
Thanks much, Mari-Anna!❤️
What a beautiful post! Had me teary-eyed reading it. Thanks so much for sharing your granddaughter’s amazing journey of faith. To God be the glory. I pray that she continues to be strengthened in body and spirit as she leans on God. May we all be strengthened to choose God when our strength is gone.
Thanks so much, Carlie! It has been very much an amazing journey indeed. Blessings on your day!
I have goosebumps reading the struggle sweet granddaughter has gone through. To hear her cries to heaven must have been soul-wrenching for you all.
But ah … that beautiful picture at the end. I am so glad you shared that with us, Pam. She is a beauty, inside and out.
Praying that God will redeem this life altering experience in her life as she continues to move ahead …
It was indeed gut-wrenching!! It has been quite a journey for her and all of us who have watched❤️
Great post and I love the JK Rowling quote! So true that while we can’t always control out circumstances we do have a choice to make about how to respond and whether to put our trust in God. I love the story of your granddaughter’s response of faith.
Thanks, so much, Carly! The quote is indeed a good one! So glad you were blessed by a quick glimpse of our granddaughter’s recent experience!❤️
Your writings are so inspiring and always good for what’s ailing me!
Thanks, Gayle! Your encouragement always blesses me!❤️