This has been a particularly challenging week. Just over a month ago, my mundane routine was abruptly interrupted by (what I would find out following a 10-hour ordeal in the ER) a kidney stone.
This was followed by two weeks of life-altering pain to pass the kidney stone. Three days after this wonderful (being sarcastic) event, I found myself in a second (only 8 hours this time) ER visit to discover a blood clot resulting from the first ER visit.
But wait, there’s more. Severe groin pain led to a teleadoc call that recommended a visit to the ER to rule out a blood clot!
After refusing to go through a third horrible ER experience, I got a next-day appointment with the Urologist, only to find out that another kidney stone was swimming around my bladder.
While all this was happening, I had two biopsies on my ear for possible skin cancer—they came back positive!
In my mind, I heard the words of Jesus on the cross saying, “my God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
I knew he hadn’t, but by this time, I was convinced that I could build a case that he had.
What did I do?
I have walked with God too long to raise an angry fist toward heaven, blaming him for my problems. Yes, I could build an (in my opinion, a very strong) case that God abandoned me to fend for myself—but where would that get me?
So instead, I began speaking out loud the Word of God. The New Testament writer of Hebrews tells us that faith—the belief and assurance that God is God—comes by hearing the Word of God.
Here are some of the verses that I quoted:
“You can be certain that I will take of everything you are in need of. You can be certain that my generosity will exceed even yours in the glory that pours from Jesus Christ.” Philippians 4:19—Evans paraphrase
“Call unto me, and I will answer, showing you many things.” Jeremiah 33:3—Evans paraphrase
“Create in my a clean heart, oh God, and renew a righteous spirit within me. Listen to the voice of my cry, my king and my God. Do not cast me away from your presence, but renew a righteous spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
“When you give me the strength, I can do anything.” Philippians 4:13
A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is discovering that God is God, and as God, he will always take care of me. And taking care of me does not mean he will put a bubble around me, shielding me from bad things, but rather, he will surround me with his promise to see me through all things.
Have a great day.
“Draw me close to you, Lord,” must be the heart cry of each Christ-follower.
A close personal relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit is an unexpected journey of discovery.