“You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8 NLT)
Two lessons I’ve learned and will pass on for your consideration. First, the truth upon which I’m seeking to build my life, which enables me to hold life and all that entails with open hands, is this: I believe God’s Word, the Bible, is true. The Bible teaches that God loves me unconditionally, allowing me to have full confidence that He is good, and I can trust Him.
The second lesson the Lord has taught me is that I am NEVER alone. Nothing enters my life except it passes through the filter of God’s permission. He guards my heart and life, so when something I don’t understand or don’t like enters my life – i.e. loss in whatever form, I know foundationally that God is good, and I can trust Him. While that doesn’t mean He has caused these things, it does mean that He allowed them, ultimately for my good and His glory. As a result, I can echo the words of David in Psalm 23:4: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.” (NLT)
Because God, by His grace, is allowing me to surrender to Him, He is enabling me to grow closer to Him through the many battles I face in this life. The Psalmist, in reference to the Lord, writes in Psalm 56:8 (NLT): “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Sometimes I’m tempted to believe that God uses the tears of humanity to fill the oceans of the world. But I also believe He uses our tears to soothe our pain and “water” our futures.
If this is a difficult season for you – give up! Surrender yourself to God in ways you’ve never been willing before. Let Him wrap you in His arms and love you. Allow Him to release His healing virtue into your life. Embrace your pain by confronting it with the loving support of others the Lord has placed in your life for just such a time as this.
Believe in His goodness, trust His love and know He is with you in your heartache. Have confidence that He is working even in and through the difficult season you’re experiencing to bring good that is beyond anything you can presently imagine. There is morning after night, light after darkness, resurrection, and restoration after death for those who are willing to trust Him.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 