By Sister Marjorie
This is not an uncommon, but rather one that is frequently asked question by people from various backgrounds, cultures, and age groups. The obvious reason for this is because at some point, in all of our lives, we are faced with challenging situations that we find difficult to comprehend. However, such challenges should not be regarded as the defining moments of our usefulness on the highway of life; neither should they be seen as a reason for “throwing in the towel” (i.e. calling it quits).
Depending on our mindset, together with confidence in God’s ability to deliver us, such occurrences can, very often, prove to be a blessing in disguise.
Despair leads to purpose
Take for example, Charles F. Weigle, an American Evangelist who, during one of the darkest periods of his life, wrote the hymn: “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.” This particular hymn often penetrated the hardest of hearts, breaking down barriers that once seemed impenetrable.
People possessed by witchcraft and demonic spirits found their hearts melting under the power of the lyrics which resulted in some of them coming to know Christ as Lord and Saviour. Why? Because the lyrics were penned by someone who wrote from a place of brokenness; someone who, when his back was against the wall, discovered that no human love could match the incomparable love he found in JESUS CHRIST. Hence, his famous hymn brought not only light, but life to darkened and despondent hearts.
By way of background, Charles Weigle was an itinerant evangelist whose calling upon his life often took him away from his family. One evening upon returning from one of his meetings, he was met with a note from his wife stating that she no longer desired to be the wife of an evangelist and had departed with their daughter, for pastures new. Charles sank into a bout of deep depression and, of course, the enemy of his soul compounded the pressure by convincing him that no one cared about his predicament.
During this period, his faith in the Lord went through a season of turbulence and to those looking on from the outside, it would appear that his ministry had reached its expiry date. Charles himself saw little purpose for his existence, but what the devil had intended for evil, the Lord worked together for his good and not for his good only, but also for the benefit of others.
Out of his intense loneliness and depression, came a hymn that would pierce hearts and alleviate the pain of many. When the devil convinced him that no one cared, Jesus showed up and changed his story. It is recorded that before his death at the age of 95, Charles had written over 1,000 hymns.
Keep your focus on God
My Friend, maybe where Charles was, is where you are right now. Perhaps you also feel like giving up because you have convinced yourself (or have been coerced into thinking) that this , is the most viable option. However, the one thing you can be assured of is that there is always hope in JESUS. Rather than overthinking and focussing on the problem, re-direct your focus unto the Problem Solver. The One who said: “…let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27(b);” the same One who also said: “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). In the midst of life’s trials, lift up your eyes and see your situation from Gods’ point of view because the reality of the matter is, there is no problem that God cannot solve.
Perhaps you find yourself facing a serious health issue that is sapping you of energy and strength. You have tried every possible prescribed medication and yet no improvement. You have prayed, family and friends have prayed, but still your situation remains unchanged. In moments of frustration, your question is “why?”
Maybe your children have become entangled with the wrong group of friends and this has brought much pain and heartache to your household. So much so, that you find it hard to lift up your head. You ponder on the reports of colleagues and friends whose children are excelling and repeatedly cry, “why me?”
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” Job 14:1
It is possible that you may be in a marriage that is causing you much anxiety and pain and instead of being good friends, you and your spouse are at enmity one with the other. Instead of enjoying a loving, vibrant relationship, you are merely enduring it to save face but behind closed doors, the question is, “Lord, why?”
One thing we must all come to terms with in times of challenge and pressure, is that nothing that takes place in our lives is without the foreknowledge of God. As can be seen from His Word: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).This reinforces the fact that no matter how upright or holy we may be, no matter how beautiful or strong, bad things will happen to all of us at some stage in our lives BUT as children of God, we can always find peace and hope, in the midst of life’s storms. Such turbulent times are not designed to destabilise or derail us but to: (1) reveal to us the frailty of man and the need to move away from self-reliance, to absolute dependence on the Lord; (2) strengthen our faith in God; (3) help us discover the faithfulness of God in times of trouble; and (4) ultimately, bring glory to the name of the Lord through our situation.
Life has many lessons
It is very easy, when faced with trying situations to wrongly accuse the Lord wrongfully as the disciples did when a great storm arose. Although, He was physically with them, sleeping in the hinder part of the boat, they panicked and cried: “Master carest Thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38(b)
His response was that of rebuke because with Him in their midst, there was no need to fear. Right now, you may not fully understand why you are at this particular juncture in your life and why the level of suffering and pain is so intense but if you can just hold fast to His Word, in due time, You will discover that being the Potter that He is, He is shaping and moulding you into the vessel that He wants you to be.
Life is a school and there are many lessons to be learnt. Lessons such as: (1) total obedience to God’s Word, attracts God’s blessing; (2) unwavering faith to believe that what He has promised concerning you, will surely come to pass; and (3) trusting Him implicitly, even when the way before you seems dark. Constantly remind yourself that the Lord has fashioned you with His own hands for a unique and divine purpose and, because of that, you shall prevail.
“…weeping may endure for a night but JOY cometh in the morning.”
Psalm 30:5
Job was tried and tested on many fronts but through it all, he was able to confidently say: “He knoweth the way that I take, when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).
Did the Lord fail Job? The answer is No! and what He did for Job, and for countless others, He is well able to do for you also. Quitting or surrendering to the wiles of the enemy is simply not an option. Whatever you may be going through at this time, DON’T GIVE UP, but stand firmly on the promises of God knowing absolutely, that “…weeping may endure for a night but JOY cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)