Do you feel isolated? Is this feeling as if no one else in the entire world has ever experienced your intense pain and grief? Do you ever question if anyone cares for you, perhaps even God?
It is in times like these that we dare not forget that we need a Savior to step in and deliver us from our sorrows and despair. Jesus can bring light to every dark situation. The Bible tells us to cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us (1Peter 5:7). The word cast literally means to throw. When something is thrown it is projected with force to insure that the projected object reaches the intended destination. When God tells us to cast our cares, our worries upon Him, He is our intended destination. What a wonderful privilege we have as children of God. He invites us to throw our worries upon Him. Why, you might ask, because He cares enough about us to do something to alleviate the problem or to help us deal with the problem.
The word of God declares that if we suffer, we shall also reign with Him (2 Tim 2:12a). Jesus experienced the most painful suffering of all. He was humiliated, verbally abused, ridiculed, rejected, and then nailed to a cross where upon He died. What a horrible thing for anyone to have had to experience, even more so, for an innocent man to have to suffer. However, this painful crucifixion had to occur. It was part of our destiny. It was part of our promise. It was the only way we would be able to receive eternal life. God allowed Jesus to go through the crucifixion because of His great love and concern for you and me. But, God did not leave Jesus in a lifeless state because; when He resurrected Him, He possessed all power! With this in mind, we have an assurance that if we are experiencing pain and suffering that God wants us to experience, He will not leave us in a lifeless state rather, He will resurrect us. He will make us alive in Him! When God changes our pain into triumph, it is a truth that becomes monumental. It reaffirms the fact that God really does care about us. It also allows us to see the strength, patience, wisdom, and tenacity that God places in us. It allows us to see the sufficiency of His grace.
Let’s talk about some of the promises.
Isaiah 26:3 says “Thou will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee because he trusteth in thee.” If we focus on God, who has all of the answers to life’s problems, He has promised to keep us in perfect peace. Only God can give peace that is perfect in every way. There is no sorrow in His peace only an assurance that He is carrying you and working things out on your behalf.
I conclude with one of my favorite scriptures found in Romans 8:18. I can always count on this scripture to give me hope for a brighter day when I am faced with a difficult period in my life. Romans 8:18 says, “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us.” In other words, yes I may be going through a difficult time now but, when God’s glory is seen in me, my painful situation will have seemed minute.
The Bible is full of God’s promises. I challenge you to search for scriptures that will encourage you to believe and wait for the manifestation of God’s promises. He is very capable of turning darkness into light. Only trust Him!
Reflections
1. What scriptures serve as reminders that God is in control of the painful circumstances that you may be facing?
2. Complete the following statement: When I am going through a difficult time, I can always count on the Lord to __________________________________________
3. Make a list of things that you’re worried or concerned about and throw them to the Lord, ask Him to help you leave them in His capable hands, and thank Him for the outcome.
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