God is at work in us, in our difficulties, and in situations. Trials and challenges will not always be removed. Some of my prayers have been answered “yes” or “no”. Others remain unanswered. In the denial and in the waiting I lean on the One who does what is best for me and never leaves me.
How Do We Persevere
I wept off and on through the morning, discouraged by my friend’s pain and poor choices. At one level, I understood; her pain was real. But at another, I wondered why she didn’t persevere. She said prayer didn’t work. What she meant was, God didn’t answer her prayers in her time and to her liking.
I understood; I’ve been there. But God doesn’t comply with my timetable. He operates on His timing and on the truth of His Word. So I wrote in my journal today to remind myself. I’ve had many answers to prayer, but I’ve had those that have been delayed, unanswered, or denied. How do we persevere when we wait and the answer doesn’t come? When we’re disappointed and the answer is “no”? When an answer comes in a different way, or is delayed, and the wait seems interminable?
This morning, I wrote with certainty:
Christ is in me: I belong to Him.
“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Colossians 1:27 ESV
Christ is for me. He wants the best for me. His wisdom, not my thinking, guides His actions. I belong to Jesus at His great cost. He is not out to hurt me, but to provide what is best.
“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” Romans 8:31-32 NIV
Christ is with me: He is always available, never too busy or too tired to listen.
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18 NIV
Christ loves me: He loves me with unconditional and unfailing love—enough to die for me and care for me every minute of the day.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 NIV
Christ knows about my broken heart: He has not overlooked me but is aware and reaches to comfort me.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)
In another passage, we read, “He binds up our wounds.” (Psalm 147:3 NIV)
Christ never leaves me: Despite feeling alone or rejected, I am never alone. He is faithful.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5b
God is at work in us, in our difficulties, and in situations. Trials and challenges will not always be removed. Some of my prayers have been answered “yes” or “no” Others remain unanswered. In the denial and in the waiting I lean on the One who does what is best for me and never leaves me.
“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” (Psalm 138:8 ESV)
I closed my journal and reflected on those truths and the magnitude of God’s love for me. With the Psalmist I said,
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13 NIV)
Which truth resonates with you most? Find other scriptures to encourage you.
