Hardships

At church this Sunday, a lady stood up to give a "praise report".

If you don't know what a praise report is, let me tell you.

It's the reason people jump out of their seats at church and shout!  It means that God has shown Himself faithful in a special way to someone and they can't wait to tell everyone!  It means that person comes up to the pastor before service and says "Please, can I share something before you speak?"  It's usually an answer to prayer, and it's meant to encourage everyone to keep on trusting God!

So here's what happened...

This lady has been through a battle with breast cancer.  She has endured the treatments and all the horrible side effects that go with it.  It's been a long battle, but she has come out the other side feeling strong.  Her outlook is bright.

She shared that she could sense the support of her church family.  She had an awareness of the effective prayers that people praying for her.  She said a few times she had to remind herself that she even HAD cancer!

All through the treatment and through the suffering, she said she held on to a passage of scripture from Isaiah 43:1-3.

But now, this is what the Lord says—

he who created you, Jacob,

he who formed you, Israel:

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.2 

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.3 

For I am the Lord your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

She said that she hung onto that passage all through the treatment.  That means, when it seemed hopeless, she leaned on those words.  Those words were her only trust.  They calmed her mind and more importantly, gave her comfort.

She also commented that the scriptures mean more to her now than ever before!

Does it take hardships and sickness for us to realize the importance of trusting God?  Sometimes.

I think we all are going to have to face something very very difficult.  What will we trust in?

I choose to believe there is a God who knows and loves us unconditionally, and that He had those words recorded so that we ALL could know that we CAN "pass through" and not get "swept over"!

We can "walk through" and not be "set ablaze"!

What do you put your trust in?