We can look at Scripture and be assured that God uses all things, even the broken pieces of our lives. He will carefully hold each piece in His hand until just the right time, and then He uses it for good to help someone else. Will you share your testimony?
Posted by Garnet Andrews on August 30, 2010 at 12:03 am
It’s too much.” “It’s too much.” “God, please. It is simply too much.” Those are the words I sobbed while sitting on my back porch, bible in lap, searching for comfort from Him. Emily’s surgery was 10 days away and I dreaded the thought of it. The Casting Crowns song “Praise you in this storm” was playing on the radio. I wanted to draw near to God, but I seemed to be pushing Him away. I knew I needed Him but I thought He was allowing too much for me to handle. So the tears fell and I sobbed sitting on my back porch with the Lord there next to me.
There is a different kind of worry you experience when your child is involved. We knew the surgery was necessary and we had faith in the doctor. But we also knew there were great risks and the recovery would be a long and very painful. It was simply too much on top of what we had already experienced.
I was not resting in God’s peace. I was not receiving any comfort from Him. I felt overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated. I was not sleeping. I cried often and easily. I was worrying myself sick.
Almost in desperation I asked a friend, who is also a spiritual mentor, “How do I not worry about this?” “How do I not worry over my child?” “How do I let go and let God?” “I don’t think I can do this.”
She asked me, “Garnet, are you praying?” “Of course,” I replied. She grabbed both my hands in hers and looked into my eyes “No, I mean are you praying to God and do you believe He is faithful?” “Do you believe He knows your name? Do you believe He knows Emily’s? Do you believe His word and that He keeps His promises?” My response, while pitiful, was a truthful “I want to.”
Mrs. Robin told me to go home and to pray. She reminded me that He gave us His word so we would know Him and what He is able to do. I needed to claim His promises over Emily, the surgeon, the pain, our family. Simple, I know. But for me I had to choose to believe in Him all over again. My life’s circumstances were intersecting with God’s principals.
When I finally chose Him, something amazing happened. As I began reading His word it became very clear to me that I needed to pray out loud and proclaim His promises out loud. At some point I experienced a miraculous change. No longer was I begging for His mercy and favor. I had begun claiming scriptures over the surgery with confidence, with joy, with an assurance that He is Faithful and True. My prayers changed from pleading with Him to praising Him.
The lesson I learned is that the Victory over the storm is in the praise. I chose to believe that He is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. And I praised Him for it. My friend told me that anyone can say thank you after the gift has been given, but we are called to a different life. I now realize that as Believer’s in Jesus our testimony to the world is praising Him before, during and after our storms
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Psalms 145:13-14 “…The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made.”