“In my alarm I said, ‘I am cut off from your sight!’ Yet You heard my cry for mercy when I called to You for help.
Love the LORD, all His saints!” Psalm 31:22-23a
“Life is like a box of chocolates; you never know what you’re gonna get.” That single line is from the movie Forrest Gump. Although the quote may elicit a smile, it is a wry smile at best, for life can be more than difficult. Sometimes, life is filled with successes and happiness. A job promotion, a marriage, the birth of children, a birthday, graduation, a new home, etc., fill us with innumerable joys. During these blessed times, we share our happiness with the world, and we continue on our merry way.
We continue, that is, until we take “that left turn at Albuquerque.” Suddenly, life is filled with troubles: a car accident, illness, death, job loss, divorce, loss of dreams, arguments, temptations, financial reversals, and more. During these trials, we seem to spin out of control. It is as if our cars have died on the superhighway, and a double tractor trailer is barreling down on us. Other times, we feel as if we are drowning under a sea of woe.
If this sounds familiar, please know that you are not alone. God is just a prayer away; in spite of the turmoil churning around us, God has never left us. We may feel abandoned, but our Heavenly Father is right beside us saying, “Here I am; hold onto Me.” During the most difficult of situations, God is there. Because God loves us, He wraps us in His loving embrace and holds us, even when we only feel like sobbing out our pain.
When I was a senior in college, I went through what L.M. Montgomery described as “Jonah Days”. It was as if everything that could possibly go wrong happened simultaneously. I was left bereft of any self-esteem, alone, depressed, whipped around in a sea of sorrow, and unable to keep my head above water. At one point, I can remember stumbling through the door, tears streaming down my face, and my one-year-old nephew greeting me. He held out his little arms to me, and I collapsed on the floor. I felt him tightly hold my neck, and I sobbed out my pain. Never once did he pull away, and, for the rest of the day, my nephew stayed close. He sat in my lap, played with me, read books, and snuggled. God gave me a great gift that day, for He knew that I needed to feel loved, valued, and held. Over the next few months, as I questioned God, His sovereignty, His plan, and His love, my loving Savior reminded me of my little guy and his love. Yet, God also reminded me of a song called “Sometimes He Calms the Storm” by Scott Krippayne. The words below are the song’s chorus; these words wound their way through my thoughts so many times during that period. They reminded me that God is always there in the midst of the pain, the sorrow, the trials, for He loves me.
“Sometimes He calms the storm
With a whispered peace be still.
He can settle any sea,
But it doesn't mean He will.
Sometimes He holds us close
And lets the wind and waves go wild.
Sometimes He calms the storm,
And other times He calms His child.”
As you go through the trials and triumphs of life, remember God’s love for you and me is unchanging and everlasting. This may be a piece of chocolate that you wished you did not have to swallow, but know that God is with you every step of the way. A new piece of chocolate lies ahead of you. This storm will pass, and the day will shine all the brighter. Your Heavenly Father is just waiting for you to ask Him to allow His love to surround you. Will you?