“I have a cut on my ankle,” our oldest son Kedar said this afternoon.
“Let me see it,” I said, watching him slowly pull up his pants leg.
It was a tiny nick—nothing too serious.
“Does it hurt?” I asked.
“It doesn’t hurt at all,” he told me.
I guess he just wanted me to put my eye on it to make sure it was nothing serious. It seems like every day our boys have a new bump or bruise.
So I just went ahead and put a little Neosporin on the tiny wound and slapped a bandage on it, and sent him on his way. That was that.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if every problem were that simple to fix?
When Kedar was a toddler, I wished I could have just “slapped a bandage” on his Rickets—a condition that resulted in softening of his bones. It was caused by lack of Vitamin D and Calcium.
Once his doctor told us about this disease, my husband Kenya and I did everything we were told to rectify it.
We gave Kedar vitamins, whole milk, cheese, ice cream, walks outside to expose him to the natural Vitamin D found in sunlight, and also strong dosages of steroid medication to help improve his condition.
Absolutely nothing worked.
At one period, Kedar's bones had softened to the point that he had severe bowing of the legs and lots of difficulty walking. He also wasn't growing the way he should have been and specialists were very concerned.
Daily Cup family, they said he might have to have the Ilizarov (pronounced i-liz′ă-rof) procedure, which is the breaking of the legs in order to stretch and straighten them, so he could develop normally. After the radical surgical procedure, he would need leg braces to reset the bones.
It would be a long and painful process we were told.
As you can imagine, hearing that was pretty distressing.
To make a long story short, God turned that thing around.
One day, we went to see the doctor to determine what the next steps were in his treatment and discovered that all Kedar’s symptoms were gone. His system had normalized and his severe deficiency was no longer a concern.
For a while it looked bad—really bad—but God worked it out for good.
Perhaps you are going through a trial that has you deeply perturbed. You feel weary and tired of the valley experiences.
I’ve been there.
I know all about how rough times test our faith in ways we never imagined. Grave health concerns, relationship challenges, financial problems, family crises, career troubles, business struggles, emotional issues and hard-to-bear burdens come a-knocking.
Sometimes, life’s disturbances don’t even knock. Without warning, they just boldly kick the door down.
When my husband came home one afternoon and told me he lost his job when our newborn baby was just weeks old, trouble kicked the door down. He couldn’t find work and his unemployment check wasn’t enough to cover bills.
When I learned my mother had a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer, and doctors didn’t know why she kept getting life-threatening infections during chemotherapy treatment, trouble kicked the door down.
When a serious car accident sent me into premature labor, damaged my sciatic nerve and left me unable to walk, trouble kicked the door down and just stayed a while.
I didn’t have any help at that time.
You see, Kenya and I had relocated, so I didn’t have family around to assist me and he couldn’t take any more time off from his new job. We had four children that still needed to eat and receive care. Some days, I had to crawl up the stairs with tears streaming down my face—and the pain was almost too much to bear.
I thought that “unwelcome house guest” would never leave.
Eventually, it did.
As the saying goes, “Trouble don’t last always.”
Why am I telling you all this? To let you know you are not alone. We all have to face struggles in life.
Were it not for the grace of God, none of us would make it through.
No matter who we are, we are not exempt from life's challenges.
I can tell you, I have seen some dark days. But here I stand today, with my faith intact and my confidence in the Lord stronger than ever.
Friend, if He comforted, encouraged and strengthened me to go through many things—far more than I have mentioned here—He will do the same thing for you.
You will not be consumed in the fire of affliction, nor will you be destroyed by the snares of the enemy.
No matter what comes against you—whether things or people—God is your source, healer, defender and provider. He will bring you through.
Through tears, heartbreak, disappointment and desolation, God is with you.
In fact, when you are brokenhearted and crushed, God is close to you according to Psalm 34:18. I like to say, when trouble shows up, so does God.
What’s more, no obstacle, problem or adversity can match God’s omnipotence. He is all-powerful and will not let the stormy seas drown you. He is a lifeline, lifter up of your head, strong tower and mighty weapon of defense.
I have tried Him and I know Him.
He is the greatest confidante, comforter and conqueror.
Again, the Lord is with you.
To remind you of this, I’m stirring Psalm 46:1 KJV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, you will be reminded that when you have trouble, you also have God and He is greatest of all.
The Mighty Deliverer is right there for you. As Zephaniah 3:17a ESV says, “The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save…”
The One who is for you is bigger and stronger than anything that will ever come against you.
Now let’s pray.
God, the stormy winds of life are blowing in this season. At times, it feels as if I cannot stand against the strength of the storm’s current. But when I feel weakest, help me to declare Your word over my life. Psalm 3:3 tells me that You, oh Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. Today, I look to You, my present help in trouble. I trust You Lord. Thank You for being my strength. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
If you need prayer, don't hesitate to request it. I would be honored to stand in faith with you. I know that prayer works. CLICK HERE to learn how to submit your prayer request.
