We move through battles – all of us. No one walking this earth can escape them, and so we do the best we can as we set our pace through life. We set our pace. That means we decide how we are going to handle our trials and tribulations.
If you want to know how I’ve endured past, as well as current, struggles I can tell you this: I’ve stopped asking why and I’ve started believing in the how? I say things like, “Okay, God. I understand that you won’t reveal why, but I trust that you know how I’m going to get through it. What can I do today to give you glory inside the pain?”
Yesterday, as I was missing my stepfather, this thought came to mind: Death seems final until we realize Jesus is eternal.
This world is not our home. It’s hard to wrap our brains around, but it’s so true.
See, we tend to think that because we walk in this world every single day that we somehow have permanent residence here. We tend to take ownership in what we see around us rather than trusting in what we can’t see. In the midst of all the questions, and trying to find my footing to set a proper pace from this side of heaven to the next, I’ve learned obedience to be the only sure path leading me through suffering.
… who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him…
-Hebrews 5:7-9
Even Jesus learned obedience through suffering. This is why I’ve fallen so deeply in love with my Savior. He understands me. He knows what it is to hurt and hope for rescue. He knows not only the blessing of obedience, but the pain of it.
And the answer to my how question is held tightly in the truth of the above passage: He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.
We need to stay focused on Christ and His plan. We must align our will to His. He is the Author of salvation. He WILL save us. As long as we believe that He knows the how, then we don’t have to worry about the question. He already has the answer.
And so as I leave you to ponder this today, I want to pray for you.
Dear Jesus,
May we trust in your answers rather than waste breath with our questions. May we look to you in every hurt, every joy, and every step we take. May the pace we set for ourselves be one of obedience and wisdom, which can only come from you. May you give us peace and help us to rest in Your promises.
Amen.
Set your pace with obedience, friends!
Love,
Jennifer
To read my book Nothing to Hold but Hope, click here.
