His plan for your pain
Isaiah 61 vs 3
“To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”
A young lady that I know went through a traumatic period in which she was diagnosed with cancer. During the time she was diagnosed she had just been laid off from work. It seemed as if her life was coming to an end.
In between feelings of doubt, anger and worry, she embarked on a rigorous treatment programme that involved chemotherapy and bouts of radio therapy. She underwent surgery, took endless amounts of medication and lost her hair in the process, it appeared as if she was going to die.
Through it all she remained faithful to God, she attended church and remained steadfast in her faith in God. Despite the pain and the uncertainty she diligently went through the treatment program.
A few weeks ago I listened to her telling her story. I was amazed at how, not so long ago, things were bad and all hope seemed lost but today she is using her experience to minister to others and tell them about the goodness of the Lord.
She firmly believes that she went through all that trauma and pain so that the Lord can use her as a vessel to show what He can do. As I listened to her testimony I realized that she was saved in order to save others, to give hope to others in similar circumstances and to be a living testimony of God’s wonderful work.
When we go through difficult times we often search for living examples of people who have survived similar circumstances so that they can minister to us and renew our hope in the Lord. You may be going through something similar today and you are doubting whether you will make it, may you be encouraged by those that the Lord has saved. May these survivors give you hope and faith to know that the Lord can do the same for you.
I pray that you become a testimony of His greatness and that your experience gives glory to the Almighty.
Be blessed
REFLECTIONS OF A WORK IN PROGRESS . . . For more info: Visit our website: www.thefig-tree. org; e-mail us on info@thefig-tree.org; catch us on StarFM, Monday to Friday at 0620hours.