“But Daddy, Why?” our innocent five-year-old daughter stared up into my husband’s face, her eyes conveying she could not comprehend his stance.
“It’s not safe for you to drive a car by yourself right now, you need to wait until you’re older, ” he patiently explained. Her puzzled face conveyed that she didn’t agree with his assessment nor comprehend he knew what he was talking about.
I smiled at the simple explanation, but I don’t smile when ‘no is the answer I receive from God. Or the answer is wait, or not yet, or never.
Have you had a lot of “no’s”, “not yet’s”, or “never’s”? Do you struggle to determine what God does have for you?
Maybe like me, you’ve lived a season or two where life seems like a constant struggle. You put out one fire to turn and find another raging. Where is my good, good father? When will these hardships come to an end?
My mind recites, “His mercies are new every morning, Great is His faithfulness,” yet sometimes my heart struggles to rejoice at those words. Because where I am right now doesn’t feel good. Because it’s hard and messy and unknown. Because I can’t see an answer, a solution or a way out. When I just want to scream or throw something or run out the door and keep running until I have no more raw emotion left inside me.
But I do know in my head what He has promised.
And, it’s on His promises I must rely.
This is where I learn what my faith is made of.
He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.
He didn’t say life would be simple, without trouble or despair. He didn’t promise every day would be filled with joy and sunshine.
But He did promise He would be there beside me, holding me when necessary, every day. No matter what comes, He will be there. He won’t leave me to my own devices. He promises I will never be alone.
And all my years of experience have confirmed that He has kept that promise. Though job losses. Through my daughter being life-flighted. Through another daughter surviving a California fire. Through my own fight with cancer. The list goes on and on.
He has never left me. He has always given me what I needed to persevere and do what was needed. He provided the strength, the wisdom, and even the faith I needed for each moment.
Circumstances might not always be what I would author. In fact, they rarely are. However He promises no matter what the circumstances are, He will use them for good.
And, He has.
My youngest survived her life-threatening emergency. She inspires others as she lives life with a positive attitude to accompany her chronic illness.
My oldest is able to draw on her experience from the fire, recalling His protection of her and the others sheltering in place; of the peace they experienced, that peace which passes understanding, as the fire crested their mountain. Amazingly, not one life was lost.
I can point to where He held me, and that He is still working miracles today. I have survived 11+ years with no signs of cancer.
Yes, somehow, some way, He manages to bring good from trial. I can’t fathom it. Yet, He does. He is God. He is a good, good father.
Even when He lets me walk through things I wouldn’t author. Even when He allows heart-wrenching trials. Even when I just can’t see or fathom what He’s doing, I know I can trust Him.
He knows the growth that will come from it: growth in my trust, and faith in Him. The growth that allows me to face tomorrow without fear, because I have indeed learned, no matter what, He does have me. And, He also has the ones I love.
No, God, I don’t always understand. Just like watching my five-year-old daughter question her earthly daddy why she can’t do something, I too can’t always fathom why You say no, or not yet. But through the years of walking with You, I have learned I can trust You.
You are good.
You do want only the best for me.
You will not waste any trial I endure.
You will bring good from it.
Prayer: Dear Lord, It’s hard to do this life with that kind of faith. But You supply that faith, just as I need it. You love me, just as You love all Your children. You want each of us to come to You, to trust You, to lean on You.
Thank You, God. You are indeed a good, good Father. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
If you too feel overwhelmed by trials and underwhelmed by faith, I’d like to share 6 Promises to Cling to During Trials. I have returned to these over and over again; He has always kept His promises. Just add your name to the email request and 6 Promises to Cling to During Trials will arrive in your inbox.
Also, please feel free to request prayer below. I and my team and other readers will pray for you.
Have a blessed day!