Ask … And He Will!
October 2, 2023 — Laura House
Once while walking with Nathan through a building, he looked up and matter of factly stated, “Huh, I wonder who wrote gullible on the ceiling?” I’m sure you’ve already guessed what happened next. Quickly, I looked up and asked in amazement, “Where?!” Hearty laughter exploded from him.
Even more telling is that I fell for the same thing again at a later time with my oldest son, Ryan, only it wasn’t written on the ceiling, it was supposedly on the ground. I guess I’m gullible?
In retrospect, I think there is more than gullibility. I looked up the first time and down the second because I believed my sons. They were just teasing, of course, and we all enjoyed a good laugh at my expense. But I knew them well, and when they told me something, I believed it.
It’s the same with us as parents, isn’t it? We have such a huge responsibility because our children take our words as truth.
If I completely trust what my husband and children tell me, why is it so hard for me sometimes to remember the words of Jesus and fully trust Him? The moment I knew that Nathan was gone, I cried out to the Lord, “Jesus, help me trust You!” Recently I read a passage that resonated so much with me and reminded me of my prayer. In Mark 9:24, a father had asked Jesus to heal his son and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” I thought to myself that this perfectly described how I felt at the moment. I knew without a doubt that I wanted to trust Jesus, but at the same time in my human frailty, I needed Him to help me trust Him and knew I wasn’t strong enough to do it on my own.
How about you? What suffering are you contending with today? Do you believe that Jesus’ words are true? As you face the desperate trials, suffering, and sadness that our lives on this fallen earth inevitably bring, you can cling to His promise to hold you through. In John 16: 33, Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
When we grieve the loss of a loved one or face other suffering and loss that causes us to grieve, we have an assortment of feelings and emotions. These are normal, valid, human, and important; but amid the grieving, we also need to be aware of the need to evaluate truth. We need to measure our feelings against the truth of Scripture. While our feelings may suggest that we are alone and we will never have joy again, Scripture teaches us otherwise. We discover that although we can expect suffering while we are on earth, the Holy Spirit comforts us and we can have joy, purpose, and fulfillment, even in the middle of hardship. We can experience His peace. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:7
Consider these incredible promises:
Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who are weary and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Deuteronomy 31:8-9 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Isaiah 43:1-2 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. 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."
1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
Romans 8:38-39 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
If you are struggling today, pray along with me, “Jesus help me trust You.” And He will.
