The Fight to Rest

Last weekend during our time in Virginia we heard a heart-stirring message on the Storms of Life. I was reminded that we are all facing something and while some burdens are larger than others, pain is a fact of life. How do we deal with that pang of loneliness, dashed expectations, or despair? Where do we go when “the sorrows of death compass me”? “If only I could get past this one difficulty. Surely once this wave passes life will clear up and things will return to normal.”

With these thoughts wrestling in my mind, I closed the door behind me and stepped out into the early morning. And one by one the Lord began bringing Scriptures back to mind, reminding me of so many things I thought I already knew.

“Be anxious for nothing…” Rest. In the midst of the storm. Can I rest when surrounded with plenty? Can I rest when “suffering need”? Am I content in Christ when the way is clear? When the future looks dark? “…And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord…” That one thing I was waiting for? What if I did obtain it, only to find God was not in it? What if I was denied the thing, but instead I had His Presence? My true desire is to be wherever He is. To know Him! Gradually “the things of earth grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” Some say that when God closes a door He opens a window, but I am learning this, that when God closes a door He stays with you on the other side.

It seems every day brings something new, a different angle on the test. The answer is so simple, I’ve heard it all my life. Yet as the experiences of life deepen, so does my understanding of what He really meant. Will I trust Him even in this? Suddenly what may have seemed like a disaster 24 hours before, I am now emotionally free to accept as God’s best, rejoicing that He would allow this for me to experience more of Him. “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and wine increased.” Is it just choosing to be an optimist versus a pessimist? No, it is believing my Father delights in giving good gifts to His children. Is it seeing the glass half full versus half empty? No, “my cup runneth over!” Obviously I may not always be there emotionally, but I can rest, knowing God is using every circumstance of life to mold me more into His likeness. Is He enough?

When you feel weakest, dangers surround,
Subtle temptations, troubles abound;
Nothing seems hopeful, nothing seems glad,
All is despairing, often times sad.

Keep on believing, Jesus is near,
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way,
Faith in the night as well as the day.

If all were easy, if all were bright,
Where would the cross be? and where the fight?
But in the testings God gives to you,
Chances for proving what He can do.

Let us press on then; never despair;
Live above feeling, victory’s there.
Jesus can keep us so near to Him,
That nevermore shall our faith grow dim.

Keep on believing, Jesus is near,
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way,
Faith in the night as well as the day.

2 Comments

  1. Esther Staddon July 7, 2015 at 10:35 am #

    Amen, Daniel! That is so true! What an incredible God to bring true peace in the midst of the storm.

    Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  2. ANA July 7, 2015 at 4:11 pm #

    HERMANO DANIEL: HAY UN HIMNO QUE CANTAMOS EN NUESTRA IGLESIA QUE SEGURAMENTE LO DEBE CONOCER, YA QUE ES ANTIGUO: CRISTO ME AYUDA POR EL A VIVIR, CRISTO ME AYUDA POR EL A MORIR, HASTA QUE LLEGUE SU GLORIA A VER, CADA MOMENTO LE ENTREGO MI SER. EN MIS PESARES MUY CERCA EL ESTA, EN MIS DOLORES ALIVIO ME DA, EN AFLICCIONES ME MUESTRA SU AMOR, CADA MOMENTO ME CUIDA EL SEÑOR……. ESPERO QUE SEA DE BENDICION PARA SU VIDA DANIEL. RECIBA BENDICIONES DESDE BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.

Leave a Reply

Notify me of followup comments via email.