When challenges in life arise from nowhere, our minds immediately begin to process the event and attempt to work out a plan of attack. Much like the cells of our body that identify disease or an unwanted presence, they rush to attack or contain the infection...our minds do the same. At times the event is prolonged, lasting much longer than is comfortable. The economic situation does not end. The health problem does not disappear. The relationship is not healed. So what do we do?
I've had those kind of desert experiences in my life. Times in which the event has lasted for years and the mind seems to find no rest from dealing with and maneuvering through the dry terrain. The mental roadblock keeps complete peace at bay. We almost have to be satisfied that the battle will rage on and continue pelting God with prayers for relief.
God is not far away at those moments. The lack of complete relief does not mean God does not care of is absent. We many never know why the issue does not fade or disappear. Paul understood when he could find no relief from his "thorn in the flesh", that God communicated "my grace is sufficient for you."
His grace is sufficient. More than enough to provide the needed respite from anxiety. More than enough to give peace in the storm. It may not be what we want, but for whatever reason it is what he provides. Even Jesus in his agonizing prayers in the Garden did not find relief from the Father, but found peace and love in the reality that he still had to go to the cross. There was a bigger picture...a larger scheme...a reason.
May we rest in God, regardless of the event. The deserts. The storms. He is good! David wrote in Psalm 18:16 "He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters."
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