Loss pains us. We can resort to false securities by hiding our pains, but God has a purpose for pains. We can deny them but that will not make them go away. We can set up walls to protect ourselves, but the enemy has no regard for our walls. He breaks in and we become prisoners in our castles. God may not have originated our pains, but He approves what we can handle and works it together for our good. If it came to you, it is because God knows you can handle it.
Unfortunately, we disappoint God. We disappoint ourselves. We fail what we should pass. Rocks meant for our lifting contribute to our crushing. God did not send those to destroy us. They were permitted to prepare, equip, and make us stronger, ready, champions. We lose when we miss God’s purpose for our circumstances. Unpleasant experiences are blessings in disguise if we learn to manage them. Stop regretting and try repenting. God allowed them to bring you to where you are today. It may seem a mistake to you, but God does not miscalculate. It may seem chaotic, but God turns the messy to glory. That is what He wants to do with your story. Stop the blame and regret, and ask God, “Why did you allow me to go this way?”
We must look beyond our blunders to see God in our trajectory, hear His voice above contradictions so we can choose to walk out clean and free and remain so with Him. We need to learn how to reach through the missteps we detest and harvest seeds of grace to make our journey and that of others easier. God spared you until now because He is interested and invested in you. He has a plan, not just about saving you. He wants to bless you and use you to save and bless others. He seeks to comfort you so He can use you to comfort those who are walking the same paths.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. “Behold, all those who were incensed against you shall be ashamed and disgraced; they shall be as nothing, and those who strive with you shall perish. You shall seek them and not find them – those who contended with you. Those who war against you shall be as nothing, as a nonexistent thing. For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ “Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you,” says the Lord and your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. “Behold, I will make you into a new threshing sledge with sharp teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and make the hills like chaff. You shall winnow them, the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them; you shall rejoice in the Lord, and glory in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah 41:10-16.
Dear Lord, I know that with You, I can scale a wall, overcome monsters after me, and triumph in the battles of life. I put my little hands in Your Mighty ones; teach my fingers to fight, my heart to win, and my life to enjoy the victory that You give over the enemy and his monsters. Amen.
Excerpt from Riding Monsters by Dr. Glory C. Odemene, June 2020.