Daily Dose of Encouragement: Different

Last summer I shared a post on my adventures with continuing the PK Protocol.  The title of the post is “not impossible, just different.”  While at the time I was referring to the fact that my families summer had been turned upside down due to having to travel to New York City for various doctors, the statement can be applied to all areas of life.    As previously discussed, we live in a world where everything and everyone is seeking pleasure.  We want things our way, and we want them that way NOW. Therefore, when things go haywire and become completely out of our control, we automatically view the events as difficult and impossible to get through.  While all hope very well may be lost from  human perspective and ability, it is during these times that we must realize what we are going through is not impossible, rather different.  Whether this means a change in physical well being, an emotionally and (or) mentally trying time, nothing is impossible to overcome through God (Matthew 19:26).  Of course, the devil will try and make us think otherwise.  As we go through the seemingly impossible, our emotional and physical well being will inevitably become drained if we are not continually seeking and drawing near to God.  However, this is precisely what satan wants, as he is there waiting, ready to pounce.   When this occurs, fear and doubt to creep in like no other, our minds stay focused on the tribulation, not God, thus causing a downward spiral of discouragement, anxiety, and anger.  In reality, impossible is just a word that we as humans have come to develop due to the limited nature of our being.  However, when we seek the One who can do all things, knows all things, and is over all things, that which is “impossible,” is truly not at all.

 It is not to say that the turn of events are not difficult, as the pain and suffering that we will and (or) do experience here on earth is very real and very debilitating.  Yet we must not forget that God knew our lives were going to happen like this.   Not only did He know that this event in our life would happen, He also knows how it is going to end, and has never stop working on our behalf even through the darkest of moments.  Of course, there is a risk in believing that God will pull you out of the pit and prove His hand active in our life, especially when everything has crumbled to pieces both around us and in us, nothing is going right, and the walls of hardship lock us in on every side.  Yet despite how disastrous the storms may rage, regardless of how high the mountain planted in front of us is that we must climb,  God is still there, and His presence will become exceedingly more real, powerful, and mighty than ever.  Drawing from personal experiences, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it is when we are at our lowest, that God’s hand is the most evident in our life (2 Corinthians 12:10).   It is no secret that there are times in life where it feels like the the trials will never end, that you never will be able to heal an emotional wound or find peace in the turn of events.  From a human standpoint, this very well may be true. However, we have a God whose ways are much different than ours  (Isaiah 55:9), and it is in this truth that we can draw strength when every inch of our body, soul, and heart does not wish to see the sunrise that will meet us at the dawn of the very next day. So how do we get through the inevitable storms that stretch, torment, and hurt both physically and emotionally?  We seek God, immerse ourselves in His word, flood our minds with His promises, praise Him through the tears and heartache, and ultimately don’t allow anything around us distract us from keeping our eyes on Him (Psalms 16:8).  In the end, this may never come as an easy task.  However, God promises that He is for us, and will never let the righteous be moved (Psalms 55:22;Romans 8:31), so “what can mere mortals do to [us]?” (Psalms 118:6)