"I can feel my heart pounding in my chest. I don't like this. I need to Trust God."
The Dilemma: This comment was made in a conversation I had with an individual who was wrestling with her emotions and their rightful place as she determined to trust God in the midst of uncertain circumstances. The statement that she made carries with it an unspoken but very real assumption that I think many of us believe.
The Question: Am I really trusting God if I am experiencing pain, sorrow, feelings of fear, loneliness, (fill in the blank)? Shouldn't all of these feelings disappear if I am truly trusting God?
 |
| His Eye is on the Sparrow ~ And I know He watches Me! photo credit: Infomastern via photopin cc |
His Response: In Luke 22:41-44 we encounter Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion.
Our confidence: If we take a look at Jesus, both fully God and Man, we see that He experienced agony. As a result of this agony He prayed more earnestly. (see Ponder Anew: The Death of Jesus Part 2) If Jesus, sinless and perfect, but fully human, always did the will of His Father "and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;" (I Peter 2:23) then it is possible for us to trust God and still experience emotions such as pain, agony, sorrow, fear, and loneliness.And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Be encouraged ~ the pain of our emotions is an opportunity to increase our dependence and trust in Jesus who often allows us to see more of who He is through our trials.
Jennifer - I saw your comment about trust on my blog and came over for a visit. So glad you found my blog because wow did I ever need to read what you posted above. I am in the midst of something right now that is causing much emotional pain, and I am trying to trust through it...I believe in fact that trust was given to me as my one word this year specifically to meditate on through this circumstance. Even though you wrote this post a week ago (actually the day after I became aware of what I would be dealing with) God's timing is perfect to let me read it today to let it offer continued encouragement as I persevere through the hardship.
ReplyDeleteToni --Thank you for sharing. Just prayed for you and will continue to pray as the Lord brings you to mind. You are not alone in this -- frankly, I think trusting is one of the most difficult things to do. God is faithful -- He provided reminders for me last week that I desperately needed as I am going through a difficult time right now too -- He will continue to lift us up.
ReplyDelete