When you are going through a trial, do you trust God to see you through it?
“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.” Isaiah 43:2 NIV
Reflection
This passage from Isaiah is an Old Testament call to trust in God. Way before Jesus walked the planet, God showed us that trusting in Him during the hardships of life is truly the way. But, of course, this isn’t about jumping into a real fire or a raging river. It’s metaphorical.
What happens is that we get overwhelmed by the circumstances of our lives. They have a way of being so turbulent or chaotic that it is relatively easy to fall prey to those circumstances.
Instead, our calling is to be calm and allow God to help us during those times. It is not easy at all. It requires a good deal of trust, and that involves time in a relationship.
One of the reasons it is essential to take some time in your life to be still and quiet so that you can feel the presence of God. You can share your concerns with Him and experience just how providential that relationship can be.
During the violent rages of a rushing river that sweeps you away, pulls you under, smashes you against rocks, and leaves you gasping for air, there is no doubt you can hardly believe that God is with you during all of that. But the reality, He is. You don’t get as hurt. You don’t drown, and as you calm yourself,
you find a way to handle the river until you can find your way to calmer water.
It isn’t that the river isn’t doing all of that to you; you are just handling it. You take it with your free will and help from your Heavenly Father. It is a strange kind of peace as the river that was sweeping you away, pulling you under, smashing you against rocks, and making you lose your breath continues, except you now feel more in control. More able to deal with the violence of the circumstances.
Imagine being able to feel this way truly? Have you ever been in circumstances where you didn’t feel in control, and suddenly you were?
This ability to pause in turbulence or chaos is essential to gaining balance with life—one important reason to get
a quiet, pause, reflect, and write about that reflection. Move what is in your mind out and allow some room for God to provide you peace. Provide a voice that will help you as you face uncertainty and struggles.
This verse is so clear and so welcoming. Let’s face it; life will never cease until you are called home. During that, things are going to happen that cause some challenges. Handling those with God and in peace would be much easier than without God.
Make time for your Father, which is truly the best investment of the time you will make this day and the rest of them.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the wisdom of your Word. Thank you to all those who spoke, wrote, saved, shared, and allowed it to be part of our lives today. Please help us, Father, find that peace that comforts us in times of uncertainty. Allow us to be strengthened by this time with you and thirst for the next and the next. Please help us stay in control as life tosses us around and allow us to be an example to others so they, too, might find our approach worth living. I pray and ask this in the name of Jesus, my Savior and Lord. Amen.
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