It does no one any favors to lead them into a belief system that this life is void of suffering, sorrow, or trials. It actually does not prepare well followers of Jesus on how to endure till the end.

Paul tells us to “think not it strange when trials come.”

Unfortunately, we are not always delivered from every affliction in the way we desire. The majority of the disciples were killed while following Christ Jesus. Many Christians, today, in some countries are as well.

Their rescue was a heavenly one, not an earthly one.

Providence and destiny can be hard to wrap our minds and hearts around. “Before I was one day old every one of my days was planned.” I cling much to this scripture. It assures me God is fully aware of my “every day.”

I don’t like that answer sometimes. God certainly could have rescued me from every storm and painful moment. But instead, He molded me by it.

He took every rough edge of my heart and life’s sorrow softened them. I was able to focus on a new purpose. One that led others out of a wilderness still seeing that God is good even when situations are not.

Years ago, He healed me through a surgery of an underlying illness that kept me for some years. The doctors could not figure out the issue. I was on medicine just to live out my days.

Until a prayer partner (who is a nurse) saw an article that seemed to describe my symptoms. She called and I took the information to my doctor. He agreed and with one surgery I was healed.

Providence.

God used many people to help bring about my healing. They were His hands and feet. He has always engaged people in His work in varying ways.

I was not delivered from my affliction for a number of years. It was a season of despair for me. Some of you are still in yours. Some of you have already been delivered.

I was stuck in a bed where I became intimate with the author of the Word. The Word, Himself, came and taught me how to war and how to pray.

I just kept falling in love with Him more and more despite my circumstance.

I arose from that season different. There was a deeper intimacy with my Savior who kept me daily with His whispers and loving arms.

I didn’t know my healing was on its way but I did know Christ had a plan. That, alone, kept me.

My first valley led me into the arms of Jesus. My second valley taught me His Word and how to live with Him through prayer. My third valley opened a door to me into a ministry I never saw coming whereby I would tend broken hearts.

Today, I am who I am because of those valley seasons and what I learned of Jesus in the midst of each.

Paul didn’t like the prison I imagine. Stephen probably didn’t like being crucified upside down. John the Baptist would not have chosen to be beheaded.

I can’t sugarcoat this walk with Jesus because I had to decide at some point that I would follow Him through the good and the bad. The ups and the downs. Even if it cost my very life and everything in it.

You are faced with the same decision.

“Through death into life everlasting, He passed and we follow Him there…turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim. In the light of His glory and grace.”