We often think that God is punishing us or failing to protect us when we go through a trial. Sometimes, tribulation comes as a result of us reaping the consequences of our poor choices. At other times, we are so busy working for God that He cannot work in and through us (Ephesians 2:10).
The key to success in tribulation is to learn to seek God’s guidance moment by moment, to rejoice regardless of the situation, to look for God’s hugs that He provides for us throughout the day, and to hide under the shelter of His wings (Psalm 61:4).
For instance, my former husband of twenty-two years told me that he saw no option for us but divorce. This threw me into immediate turmoil. I thought our marriage would last until death parted us. He sold our home and struck out into the great unknown to seek his place in life.
I had to relocate, find several jobs to support myself and wonder where God was during all the pain and chaos. I knew that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:9); and I married a Christian Pastor, so why was this happening to me? God immediately started to provide for me.
Taking me back to my supportive, natural family, God put it in their hearts to take me under their wings. He healed my soul by opening the door at a Montessori training school and the opportunity to attend divorce recovery programs at two separate local churches. Through these classes I met new women friends experiencing similar circumstances.
Confirming to me that He intended to provide for me and not to injure me, God gave me hope for my uncertain future (Jeremiah 29:11). Two years later I met and married a Pastor whose wife divorced him. God restored our ministries and gave us unconditional love through His presence in each other.
Prayer:
Father God, You love us enough to sacrifice Your Son on our behalf (John 3:16). You never leave us or forsake us (Hebrew 13:4-6). At times, You must discipline us for our errant behavior, or to prod us back on Your chosen path for us (Ephesians 2:10). It may be painful for a little while, but Your correction brings about in us Your peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).
Remind us that the disciples often found themselves in turmoil, but Jesus always came to them at just the right moment (Mark 6:48). When their hope ebbed, Jesus walked out to them on the water, and He provided for them time and again (Matthew 14:22-33). Daily, He walked with them, and they enjoyed His presence, wisdom, and guidance each moment of every day – just like we do by Your Spirit within us.
Thought for the Day:
Through His care for them, Jesus proved to the disciples that He truly was the Son of God, and tribulation is also our opportunity to grow deeper in our faith, love, union, and devotion to God; at times, blind faith is all that gets us through the murky waters of life but reading God’s Word always provides stability and hope for us.
– Hebrews 12:6-7
