Monday, March 3, 2008

A Brick Wall or a Speedbump?

I attended a Mark Lowry concert one time. Mark is a singer and Christian comedian. During the concert he talked about those events that occur in our lives that feel like brick walls. He said these difficult events look like brick walls and feel like brick walls even when we are surrendering the circumstances to the Lord. However, as time goes by and places a perspective on that event in our life, we have the ability to see that what seemed like a brick wall at the time was only a speed bump.

I do not know what you may have going on in your life right now, but I have a situation that absolutely feels like a brick wall and it hurts. The initial event occurred over a year ago and ended with circumstances that created a different reality for me. I did not ask for these circumstances and had no control over them yet they have changed my life forever. Maybe you have circumstances that you are experiencing because someone else is making decisions that affect you and you cannot do anything about it. It is not fair because their decisions affect your life and yet you have no control over what they will decide. Maybe your brick wall is a medical diagnosis, the death of a loved one, a divorce, or a career downsizing. Whatever the circumstance might be, God has promised to never leave us nor turn His back on us. In the Old Testament, Isaiah wrote the following as a word from God:

“Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 43:1-3

God never promised that we would not have problems or pain. However, He has promised that He would lead us through the painful circumstances in victory. In the New Testament Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). I have decided that in spite of what has been done to me and how it has changed my life, I will allow the Lord to work in me and change me so that I might get through my circumstances and be a better person as a result of what has happened. It’s just the getting through it that is a challenge.

If we hold on to God and the hope that can be found in the Bible and seek to do what He wants us to do, I have no doubt that we will make it through. Remember, when you hold onto God, He will lead you through your circumstances and you will be a better person as a result.

Scriptures Used
Isaiah 43:1-3: “Fear not, I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”