Recently I had the opportunity to sit for a few minutes with a woman who is walking through horrific circumstances. I am not talking about one bad situation. I’m talking about hideousness piled on top of hideousness. She is enduring…gracefully…some of the most trying circumstances I can imagine.
As I sat and listened to her, I was blown away by her attitude. She has every reason to walk in a victim mentality…every reason in the world. Yet, she is not. Don’t misunderstand me. She is hurting badly and tears flow. Her world, as she has known it for the past 30 years, has fallen completely apart in unthinkable ways. To make it even more terrible, much of what is going on could easily drag on for years. There is no end in sight for some of the tragedy.
In the course of our conversation, she said two things to me that nearly sent me to the floor. She said, “I don’t want to be a victim. I don’t want to forget that there are people in much worse situations than me.”
I thought, “Really? I’m not sure I can imagine too many worse situations.”
She also said, “I know God is with me. I know He is allowing these things for a reason. I just want to learn what He has to teach me and move on. There will be an end to all of this. I don’t know when, but I know there will be.”
Flitteration!!!! I was so stinking convicted. She is not whining. She is not complaining against God. She is humbly accepting what God is allowing in her life and asking God to bring good out of it. Over and over she said to me, “I am just taking it one day at a time.”
Ya’ll, there is no good anywhere on the horizon in this situation, yet she is fixing her eyes on Jesus and waiting for Him to work it all out.
Now, if this were yours truly, I’m certain I would whine to anyone who would listen and a right smart number of those who have no interest in listening. In fact, I might likely fall into depression over the whole mess. I would certainly invite the world to share in my misery.
As I have thought about this woman’s plight, my mind has wandered to Isaiah 43: 2 (NLT):
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”
Although these are promises made to Israel, I believe we, the New Testament church and the bride of Jesus Christ, can claim them. It is very apparent to me that this precious woman is trusting completely in God to walk with her and bring her forth as gold. What a testimony to me!!
MEDITATION MOMENT: What about you? Are you more prone to whine and complain or trust and rest in God when tough times hit? Would you take a moment to say a prayer for this precious woman? I am not at liberty to share her name, but God knows who she is. Thank you for praying for her.
