If You Just Get Pass This…

Admittedly, there are times in our lives when it is so bad that you can’t even envision it ever getting better. You do the one thing you swore you would never do and the shame is so great you don’t think you can ever hold your head up again. You say something that after you thought about it you were mortified that it could even come out of your mouth. You are betrayed by someone you trusted and you don’t think you can ever trust again. So you retreat – first inside of yourself and then you shrink from those around you. You isolate yourself and hide from everyone and everything. You live in despair – which leads to doubt that it can ever get better; which leads to fear of how you are going to survive. Wait! Did you forget? God just gave you a promise the other week that had you so excited – do you think He reneged on it?

In all of my affliction I find great comfort in your promises,
    for they have kept me alive. Psalm 119:50 (TPT)

This short verse is your answer. No, it does not take away affliction – afflictions are going to come. No, it doesn’t change your feelings right now – what happened brought out all kinds of negative feelings in you. No, it doesn’t change your circumstances. But it can change YOU – for if you just think about it, with one foot in front of another you can get pass this; and if you get pass it, you just might get to the other side and on the other side might just be what God promised!

God never wants us to forget that He gave us “exceedingly great and precious promises whereby we might be the partaker”- if – we get to the other side of our affliction. If we adjust our attitude to be able to receive something good. If we value our life, and don’t do destructive things to it – if we just take a moment to remember – those promises will keeps alive!!

Yea though I walk THROUGH the valley.. I will fear no evil—why, because HIs rod (course correction – maybe it’s your affliction) and His staff (protection from offenders; pulling me in to safety) comfort me. We need Him in our affliction, both to get us pass it, and to guide us to better pasture. If we trust the shepherd, and take comfort in His leading us, we will be kept alive – and even more than alive – living that kind of life!

The second verse of Like a Shepher Lead Me goes like this:

...We are Thine, do Thou befriend us;
Be the Guardian of our way;
Keep Thy flock, from sin defend us,
Seek us when we go astray.
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear us when we praise and pray,
Blessed Jesus, Blessed Jesus,
Hear us when we praise and pray…

Words by Dorothy A. Thrupp Music by W. B. Bradbury

When it comes down to it, the best we can do is to follow the Good Shepherd.

Maria