When life gets crazy, it can be tough to just stop and rest. Lately, even when I set time aside for God to intentionally spend only with Him, my heart still feels like it’s racing and thinking of endless tasks, responsibilities and duties. Our busy schedules and notifications can pull us away from intimate time with God to be alone and be still.
Amid a busy season of life, with events, responsibilities and endless requests required of me, I have found it difficult to obtain mental stability. To be honest, a few weeks ago I took a look at the busy weeks that laid ahead with fear of a saturated schedule, how everything would get done, and if my body would have the strength to get through. Knowing what was to come, I trekked out to a nearby field to get away and seek God for strength and wisdom in how to manage the upcoming craziness.
While I was flipping through my Bible, a passage resonated with what my heart was experiencing.
Isaiah 43:1-5
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. You are precious and honored in my sight. Do not be afraid, for I am with you.
When obstacles and tough times seem insurmountable, God promises to be trudging right along with us through it. It’s interesting that in verse 2 it is believed to reference the crossing of the Red Sea and the Jordan River. What could have looked like an impossible feat to the Israelites, God miraculously opened up a way for them to cross through. Even though it would have still remained frightening to pass through, God still made a way, even though it was quite different from what they probably were intending.
Also, in verse 4, it is known to reference Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the flames of the furnace. Even though God is always with us, we still will experience dark trials. In verse 4 it doesn’t say “if you walk through the fire,” it says “when you walk through the fire.” We should be expecting difficulty, in fact, I believe it is encouraged. God reminds us that even though we face hard times, they do not have to overcome or conquer us. Our circumstances may feel unbearable, insurmountable and unfathomable, making us wonder how God could allow such pain to occur. Please remember that when we have a renewed and refined mindset of God’s presence and purpose for our pain, even the darkest times will never bring ultimate harm or despair, because we have an eternal hope and reward.
Even amid the flames, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego still used this fiery trial to place total trust in God, that no matter the outcome, God’s plan was the ultimate best. To us, it may appear that God was allowing them to be placed in a situation for them to experience incredible suffering, but God knew this circumstance would ultimately bring incredible benefit. This would be an opportunity for them to strengthen their trust in God and for God’s provision and protection to be displayed even more mightily.
What deep waters might you be going through that feels like they are about to overwhelm and sweep over you? What trial are you going through that feels like you are getting set ablaze by the pain? Ask God that you would prepare your heart to trust in Him no matter the outcome. Maybe this trial is allowing God’s glory to be displayed for others around you to see or for your character to be refined.
I find that most of my anxiety and pain amid a trial is my lack of control over the situation. The Israelites didn’t have control of the raging water. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t have control of the blazing fire. When I reset my mindset and release my control, I can allow God to move and act in a miraculous way. I can let go of the anxiety of tomorrow, because I know God is with me each step of the way. With Him, I don’t have to grow overwhelmed with what is to come when I choose rely on Him day by day, and sometimes minute by minute.
In fact, “do not be afraid” is mentioned approximately 365 times in the Bible, interestingly enough, that it’s just as many days are in the year. This encourages me that God knows we will struggle with this daily, but we can find relief that we have no need to fear. Choose to focus on one day at a time, knowing God is there right beside you going through it with you each step of the way.
What are you holding onto so tightly that you need to release it over to God? Surrender it to God, because He can do so much more through it than you clenching it in your grasp. Lay it down and give it to God for Him and see how He can work through it in a more miraculous way than it ever could be grasped in your hands!
I hope that you can use whatever difficulty or trial to help you place your reliance on God to get through, knowing He is in control and will make a way, even when it seems impossible. You aren’t in this alone.