I used to think that if I rejoiced in my negative
circumstances that I would not be honest with my true feelings. I did not want
to pretend to feel the opposite of how I really felt. Yet, Paul admonishes us
to rejoice in our tribulation (Romans 5:3). I could not figure out how to
express joy without pretending an emotion, which I did not truly feel.
It took a major trial in my life to teach me the key to
rejoicing always (Philippians 4:4). After 22 years, the love of my
life decided that he could no longer live with my Italian emotionalism. A wall
of constant misunderstandings stood between us, so he determined that there was
no option for us but divorce. To say that I was shocked is an understatement;
yet, I did not want to live where I was not loved.
In the ensuing years, God taught me to be thankful even for
these overwhelming negative circumstances, to rejoice in His hope, to have
faith in His faithfulness, to be patient through every ordeal and to pray
without ceasing (Romans 12:12). He instructed me to focus on the
moment, rather than feeling depressed over the past and fearing the future.
I discovered that God is the only true anchor of my soul,
and I would always dwell in the inner sanctuary of His Temple, regardless of my
marital status and the earthly success of my life (Hebrews
6:19). I experienced the truth that nothing could ever snatch me
out of God's hand, and that I would always enjoy total security in His love (John
10:29). Now, those are real reasons to rejoice forevermore (1
Thessalonians 5:16-28).
Since then, I started looking at every trial as a seed for
a miracle, which is just waiting to sprout. I know that there are situations
more devastating than the loss of a mate; but I am convinced that Jesus, the
Lover of my soul who saw me through that time in my life, will enable me to
honestly rejoice through any future negative circumstance, large or small (Matthew
11:28; Psalm 23).
Prayer:
Father God, You have a divine purpose for everything that
happens to Your children. Thank You for teaching me to trust You regardless of
how negatively my circumstances develop. You filled me with Your presence
through every moment of that nightmare, and You guided me by Your Spirit in all
of my ways (Romans 8:14). Although I still grieve over the
dissolution of my family unit, You restored my ministry as a pastor's wife and
You gave me a new husband who gives me more love than I ever imagined was
possible on this side of heaven.
Thought for the Day:
There is no negative circumstance in our life that God is
not orchestrating for our good. - Romans 8:28
