Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NASB)
Those of us who love playing golf can relate to being unable to play because of injury or illness, especially in the Spring.
Well, let me pour out my heart with you during this devotional and tell you what I have been learning. I know this; we are all going through some trial, whether mild or severe, or we have just emerged from some suffering or are about to be challenged with pain soon. It is, as they say, “Par for the course.”
My story of suffering and learning to trust began on the morning of February 26 this year when I went to the Emergency Room with severe pain down my right leg and numbness in my swollen right foot.
I was released, and then the journey began with neurologists, orthopedics, and pain doctors evaluating MRIs, X-rays, sonograms, and neurological tests. The pain worsened, resulting in an inability to walk on my right foot. I was outfitted with a boot and a knee scooter to move around.
I have never known pain that continues like this daily. I count the hours before I take more pain medication and muscle relaxers. I pray a lot. The pain and medications led to an inevitable time of being emotional and crying and crying out to God for some relief. This has continued and worsened for over two months with no relief, but I still hope there will be an answer.
So, now what? Ironically the last devotional I wrote in April was entitled “so,” meaning “So, now what do you do about it?”
One word—trust. It doesn’t mean talking about trust, writing about it, or even explaining what trust means. It means giving it to God and trusting Him in the process and outcome.
I am reading from my journal of 25 years ago. On this day 25 years ago, as I struggled, God said, “I am giving you what you need now.” Looking back, I now understand. Do I want blessings, good health, security, and nice relationships? He is working out his perfect plan by giving me a thorn for the moment which is what I need, even if I don’t understand why.
Are we to expect only blessings from God? I am convinced that the thorns of life mold us stronger than just the blessings. God appears to be saying, “Boy, hang in there. You have often thanked me for your blessings but never for your thorns. My grace is sufficient.”
In Streams In The Desert by L.B. Cowman says it best: “Yet if we will be patient and submissive, it is almost certain we will be a greater blessing to the world around us during our time of suffering and pain than we were when we thought we were doing our greatest work. Then we are burning and shining brightly due to the fire.”
You don’t learn to trust or abide; you trust and abide and then learn from your experience of trusting and abiding.
So, I am writing this to help all of us. To go through this trial and dismiss its significance or not share my struggle honestly with you is not what Jesus intended. Our shared burdens become ½ the burden. A joy shared is twice the joy.
I trust God. The sun will come out tomorrow, and I know our eternal destiny is assured. God said so, and that is our King’s and Savior’s word. I am learning through the storms and the thorns. Thank you, Jesus. I trust You to give me what I need.
Closing prayer – Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your eternal promise to us.