“In the waiting, in the searching
In the healing and the hurting
Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been and where I’m going
Even when I didn’t know it or couldn’t see it
There was Jesus”
There Was Jesus, Zach Williams and Dolly Parton
“Even when we don’t know what to do, we never give up. In times of trouble, God is with us, and when we are knocked down, we get up again.”
2 Corinthians 4:8-9: CEV
Have you ever stood in the snack aisle of your local grocery store, unable to make up your mind?
So many options… And they are constantly adding new ones.
Or perhaps you are buying new running shoes and can’t decide what will look better with your track suit…
Life is full of choices. Many of them are mundane and really don’t matter much – but then there are the bigger ones – should you perhaps stop drinking – even if it means the ‘embarrassment’ of admitting you have a problem? Is this the right job or should you stay in this toxic environment? Should you leave or stay with your abusive husband? Should you confess to cheating on your spouse?
Over the last decade I have counseled many people, and the questions – these tough questions – are just the tip of the iceberg…
Paul says the following in 2 Corinthians 4: 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
Perplexed in this case (looking at the Greek) implies a situation where it feels like you have no way out. The dilemma is such that you FEEL stuck in indecision, unable to move – but Paul continues and says: but we are not in despair!
You might be walking through the slow of despondency – but you are not sinking.
There is hope. There is a way out.
The situation is perplexing. The solution is simple.
When the storms of life surround us and trouble is all around we run to the Rock of our Salvation – our Solid Ground – our Strong Tower.
We draw near to Him in prayer and through His Word.
In prayer we draw near in petition and supplication – and He answers. Sometimes it’s not the answer we expected – but He answers – by giving us wisdom, discernment and above all peace that guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
We speak to Him in prayer and He answers through His Word as well as the wise counsel and support of mature and Spirit-led brothers and sisters in Christ.
When our situations and circumstances perplex us I urge you to draw near to God in prayer – as an individual – but also with trusted brothers and sisters. There is power in praying together.
Reach out to mature Christians in your life and let them help you in the difficulty you are facing.
And above all, let God speak to you through your conscience, but above all through His Word – which really does have all the answers.
Finally, trust in God!
And if you persevere you will make it through the other side and realize that He was with you all along! Every step of the way!
He is near to those who are discouraged and saves those who have lost all hope! (Psalm 34:18). He is our strength and refuge! Our ever-present help in times of trouble! (Psalm 46). He wipes away our tears and binds up the broken hearted! He sets the captives free! He picks us up, dusts us off and puts us back on Solid Ground!
He never leaves us. He never forsakes us.
We are just sometimes blinded by what is in front of us – looking at the waves rather than Jesus walking on the water.
But He is with you. There is a way out. There is a solution. There is hope.
There is always Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, I need You. Your Word says that You are an ever-present help in times of trouble. Your Word promises that You are near to those who are discouraged – our Strong Tower and Refuge. Be my Refuge today, Lord. Be my Shelter in the storm. Be the Light upon my path. Grant me wisdom and discernment and help me see that You are busy making the way where there seems to be no way. Guide my decisions. Guide my words. Guide my actions. Help me see Your hand in my situation today and lead me to find rest in You. In the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen.