Behind
the Scenes
(Act Two)
By Karen D’Amore
“…Do not be afraid
or discouraged…For the battle is not yours, but God’s.”
2
Chronicles 20:15b (NIV)
As
God’s intercession and work behind the scenes re-opened the door for my retreat
involvement, I faced a two-week time-crunch in finalizing details. Requiring my
undivided attention, I made every attempt to avoid distractions. Unfortunately,
a few days before the retreat, life threw me a curve ball.
For
years, I’d lovingly tolerated an unbeliever’s ongoing abusive behavior. Our
association was such that I didn’t have the capacity to distance myself. I’d
spent years praying for empowerment to love her with God’s love, through the
repeated bouts of slander and behavior. Days before the retreat, she unleashed
her venom on a handful of people, including me. It was the final straw as I
reached my breaking point. Though I abstained from ill or evil action, my flesh
ached for revenge and wrestled against exposing her evil ways. I questioned why
God had not intervened. How could He possibly expect me to continue extending
His love? How long must I remain silent, when I so wanted to vindicate myself
from her lies?
It
was a challenge to suppress my fresh wounds and raw emotions as I mingled with
the retreat attendees. Distracted by my disheartened, angry and heavy heart, I questioned
my ability to fulfill my ministry commitments in the midst of my turmoil and
pain. But as the retreat speaker began to share…the Word of God came to life.
Her words of wisdom were salve to my wounds…soothing my troubled heart:
“God will deal with
those who curse you.”
“Love,
love, love, and keep loving…and there will be redemption.”
“God will stand in the gap between
people who will try to hurt us.”
“We’ve all been hurt, abandoned and
betrayed.—Lift up your eyes!”
The
speaker’s timely words reinforced God’s presence in my painful battle. And as I
reflected on His work behind the scenes to ensure my presence at the retreat, I
was confident that He was standing in the gap, protecting me from my abuser.
Called to love - - even unlovable enemies - - I would continue loving through
Him and trust in His redemption.
A
believer’s life is God’s stage and He is always
at work for the good of His children.
When we don’t understand His ways, retrospect reveals His unseen hands were
always there fighting for and protecting us.
Trust
when God’s confusing, silent or unseen. He’s working for your good from behind
the scenes.
Act
Three comes tomorrow: More Love...finally…reaped
redemption! To God be the glory!
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What do you need to do today to love and trust God to help you fight your
battles?
FURTHER READING:
Married
to Dan, Karen, a retired police officer, currently works as a Manicurist at
Craig Berns Salon and Foot Care Specialist at Shorehaven Senior Facility. She’s
on the Oakwood Women’s Ministry Special Events planning team.
