I will lift up my eyes...

    Rashad, a pastor, was involved in a horrific car accident. A pick-up truck, going in the wrong direction, hit his car head on. He was severely injured and suffered life-threatening injuries.    
    When his wife got to the hospital, he was stable and in and out of consciousness. Doctors determined that he would make it but his recovery would be a difficult one. 
    Although Rashad did not know what was going on with his body, he had to now practice what he preached - he had to pray and trust God. He had prayer support from family, friends and his congregation. He underwent surgeries to repair his pelvis and broken bones. Doctors could not promise however, that he would ever be able to walk again without the help of a cane or other support. For an active man like Rashad, this was difficult news.
    After a month of recovery, he was strong enough to move to a rehab facility. Initially, his faith was high. He believed that when he left, he would be able to run and jump and do things he had done before. However, in his very first session, he could not even move his leg. After a few days, he felt defeated and wondered if it would get better, if he would ever be able to at least walk again. 
    The driver who had hit him, was convicted of reckless driving. Rashad prayed for him, believing that he had to forgive him. He realised that harbouring unforgiveness and anger in his heart could hinder his recovery. Two months after the accident, he was released but still had to use a wheelchair. They continued to believe God for his complete healing. During this time, he recognised that it wasn’t about him but it was all about God’s glory. His recovery was gradual, but four months after the accident, he returned to the pulpit fully recovered.
    A few things caught my attention with this testimony. One, there were times when Rashad had the faith that God would do it for him. Yet, when faced with the reality of what he could not do, his faith wavered. It was easy to speak it but not so easy to continue believing when his body was not responding to his faith. What do we do in situations like that, when what we see is not lining up with what we believe? It can be difficult. In those valley seasons, it can be difficult to believe that you will ever get out. Yet, it is always about trusting God even when things don’t make sense, trusting that you will not remain where you are and you will make it through even though you can’t even see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am reminded of Psalm 121:1-2: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills; from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth.” Sometimes, I think, we just have to look up even when everything around us is going downhill. We have to keep our focus on the One who gives us the strength we need in times of trouble. 
    Second, Rashad realised he had to forgive the driver who had run into him. It wasn’t just about faith and medical intervention, it was also about his heart condition. He had to do this God’s way and part of that meant forgiving the person who had put him in this position. Forgiveness is powerful and can be an integral part of the healing process. Whenever you choose to forgive, you are choosing to heal. 
    Third, Rashad acknowledged that it wasn’t about him but about God’s glory. As a child of God, what we go through is usually not about us but an opportunity for God to be glorified through what we go through. It’s about reaching others for him, proving to them His grace and mercy. Put in this context, we can be confident that we are going to make it because God is going to bring good out of our negative situation. Our pain, our suffering is not in vain.
    God does not desire to make our lives miserable. Whatever we go through, He will always have a good purpose for it. Although we can’t see it while we are going through it, God is usually up to something good and is orchestrating everything to fulfil His plan and purpose for our lives. As I mentioned last week, your negative situation does not mean that it’s over. God is not finished with you yet. He is still working out everything for your good.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God is still a present help in trouble. He will never leave you nor forsake you especially in seasons where you may feel that life is over. He still has a plan for you; He still has a purpose for you here on this earth. You are not alone. He is there and HE will ensure that you make it.

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