There have been seasons in my life marked with difficult times. They stand out like signs on the road of life marked "Detour".
If you've lived long enough, you've had them too. They shake you, rock your world, and sometimes strip you bare. Those times remind me that I am human and that I need God.
Sometimes it's hard to make sense of these times. But when we are broken and fractured, then...then there is room for His Spirit, the very Presence of God. If in these times, we will seek Him, He promises that in all things, something good awaits. The more empty we are, the more room for Him.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 34:18 (In fact, the whole chapter is good!)
On the other side of these difficult times, I can say it wasn't just the answer to prayer I was left with, but a deeper relationship with Jesus. On this side of those times I can see that He was there, faithful, holding me, like a rock to rest on while the waves were crashing. Jesus, always there. I truly don't see how anyone goes through life without Him. He is my Rock and my Shelter. He whispers Truth while the world shouts lies. He is sometimes all that we have to hold on to. He's not just my Savior for Heaven, He is my Savior now. He sings over me, sometimes a love song, sometimes a lullaby. And He comforts me.
Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus came to bring Life.
I truly hope those troubled times for you are few. But as the Word says, Count it all joy.
That's not always easy but those seasons are working something in you and me...refining fire to bring forth gold. To cause our roots to go deep in Him.
If you don't know Jesus, He's waiting. Patiently. To love you. Right now.
He is more than a Savior, He is a Friend. The best kind of friend...for Life.