By Pamela Blattner
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14
Recently, I found myself experiencing a dark time. In the middle of planning a large-scale event, I contracted pneumonia, and then a month later, faced a heart-rending experience in my family.
Are you facing a season of difficulties that seems to have no end? It almost seems as if you don't ever shake free of the trials—you’re either beginning or just ending a trial, when another relational, financial, physical or spiritual challenge comes along. I’d like to encourage you that God is faithful. He always offers us hope.
My recent challenge was very draining and discouraging. Wow, God sure got my attention this time! I didn’t really appreciate His timing, either. Stunned, I felt like a fly on the wall that just got whacked by a fly swatter! On top of that, I questioned God’s timing. In my despair, God provided three saints in my life to help me realize that God uses the adversity in our lives. Sometimes it’s to teach us to rely only on Him; sometimes, it’s to minister to others. Difficulties won’t last forever. They have an appointed time and purpose, and we can profit from them if we trust our Father and set our hearts to learn from Him.
I began to think of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph had huge significant needs! First, he’s in a deep pit, and then endures a long stint in an Egyptian prison. I asked myself, “Why did God wait so long before meeting such important needs?” And then I thought, “Why not?” Could it be that God was redirecting him or preparing him for something new? Beyond that, a wise gentleman asked me to consider that God had a greater purpose He wanted to accomplish: Meeting not only Joseph’s needs, but the needs of Joseph's entire family.
In a similar way, is it possible that God is redirecting you or preparing you for something new? When He’s in that process of redirecting our lives, sometimes He delays meeting certain needs. Why? So that His greater plan for us—and for others—might be accomplished.
I only got peace from this trial by being alone with Him, receiving His reassurance as I released my cares to Him alone. As I trusted Him with the bigger picture, I also depended on Him to help me “be strong and take heart,” to watch and wait for Him to use the adversity for gain.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Read Lamentations 3 and discover what Jeremiah learned about God’s loving kindness. What comes to mind in your own experiences as you read? Is there a verse you could share with someone else in a season of adversity?
FURTHER READING:
Genesis 50:19-21; Proverbs 4:5, 28:26; James 1:2-12
Pam and her husband Richard have two adult children and two grandchildren. She serves Oakwood through its Family Care and is Co-Coordinator of Touched Twice Ministries.
