Do you ever question God about the circumstances you encounter in life? In my older years, I am amazed as God continues to reveal Sybil to Sybil. We tend to believe we know ourselves, but we do not. Only God knows who we truly are inside and out. I realize God will use circumstances to get our attention pointed back to Him.

For example, I recently spent unnecessary time fretting about what I could have possibly done to alienate a once-good friend. I never received an answer from my friend, therefore, I went before the Lord in prayer, asking Him to reveal to me my offenses, (if any) to me. I was clueless.  As a Christian, I examine myself by His Word for truth, because I do not want to offend others. I practice living and interacting with all people as Jesus has taught and lived Himself. So, I lay it down and trust Jesus. It took time before God said, don’t even try to understand it, look at me. He revealed that it had nothing to do with what I may or may not have done. He wanted this circumstance to move me away from what was not good to His purposes for my life. God used this unpleasant experience to move my heart toward Him in significant ways. My experience was not a major experience, but you may have experienced major trauma in suffering and pain. It is something we can not avoid in life, but we can learn to get through it gracefully. God can bless you through it.

Every individual God used mightily throughout Scripture went through seasons of hardship. Moses had to flee his family who wanted to kill him, Elijah had people seeking his death, Queen Esther risked her life to save the Jewish people, Jesus’ disciples were all martyred for their commitment to Christ, and our Savior was beaten and crucified for us.

Yet Scripture repeatedly speaks to how our suffering never concludes without God’s power working through it supernaturally. Jesus said we’d have trials and sorrows, John 16:33, meaning our hardships are not without purpose. I am an extremely emotional person. I get excited and passionate about life; like meeting new people and caring about people. I tend to open my heart wide, making me vulnerable, which has led to pain and hurt. This is an issue I am working on through the help of God’s Holy Spirit. Through it all, He is giving me a new strength and outlook. You see, through this season the Lord is near and helps me through the pain and discouragement. Jesus walked through it with me. He taught me some things that have helped me grow in my relationship with Him.

We must bring our pain to God during difficult times. This helped me to stop worrying and start worshipping. He showed me that He can turn my sorrow into great joy. This was the time to surround myself with those saints who speak hope, encouragement, and the joy of the Lord. Centering yourself with God’s Word and God’s people is healthy. When you have a health condition requiring surgery, the surgeon addresses the problem in your body; God desires to do divine surgery on your soul. The results are supernatural healing despite how hard the circumstances you are set free.

Jesus knows about pain and suffering. He willingly suffered a horrific death on the Cross because He knew the end of the story. As I walk through suffering and pain I no longer have to fret and worry because I know the end of the story in Revelation 21:3-4, ^“And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” 

I will close with this scripture from Jesus Christ’s mouth, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Think about this when encountering difficult circumstances.  Jesus said, “I am always with you.”

 

 

 

 

Sybil Clanton