Embrace what is, rather than lamenting what isn’t

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Take care of yourself”

Our Bible verse for today: “Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Embrace what is, rather than lamenting what isn’t”

Recently a friend recommended a great little devotional book which I bought and am being blessed by. The title is “Treasures in the Dark: 90 reflections on finding bright hope in the hurting” by Katherine Wolf.

In her twenties, Katherine was a Hollywood actress and a model. She was beautiful, elegant, articulate, and confident. Then, at the age of only twenty-six, she suffered a brain stem stroke that came very close to taking her life. She lived, but only after spending months in a medically induced coma. Then, she endured years of rehabilitation and multiple surgeries. But despite the rehab and surgeries, Katherine remains severely disabled. Her face is twisted, her speech is impaired, she relies on a wheelchair for mobility, and she requires a lot of assistance for daily life tasks that the rest of us take for granted.

It shouldn’t surprise us that Katherine went through a period of depression and questioning God as she tried to come to terms with her knew reality. But God helped her to see that He had a new life for her that could be beautiful and productive despite her infirmities. A guiding life verse that emerged for her out of this trial is Isaiah 45:3, “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness – secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”

That’s what her devotional book is all about – finding those treasures from God that are there in the darkness of her trial. Katherine realized that if she handled her trial well, God could use her to inspire and encourage others. So, she and her husband developed a ministry designed to do exactly that. She has written books, spoken at conferences and workshops, and even started a family camp for those dealing with significant trials called “Hope Heals Camp”

Too often we allow our trials and losses to define us, and we waste years of our lives looking backwards and wishing things were as they used to be. But the truth is that the past is past and often cannot be retrieved. So, it is a waste of time and emotional energy to excessively focus on what used to be.

Whether our dark trial came to us because of a medical issue, the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, a financial setback, or any of life’s other many trials and tribulations, instead of lamenting what was, we must embrace what is, and then seek out God’s treasures in what seems to be the darkness of our present trial. Romans 8:28 is still true, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

Achieving and maintaining good emotional health despite difficult trials requires us to embrace what is rather than what was, and focus on moving forward in life. We will think more about this in the days to come.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

Share this:

Related

Leave a comment Cancel reply