Have you ever felt like life is a contradiction? Charles Dickens's famous line from "The Tale of Two Cities" might ring true for you: "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." When we're frustrated or in pain, it's easy to feel alone. However, we're not alone in our suffering. God and Satan are both at work in our lives. In moments of pain, it can be tempting to believe Satan's lies. Instead, we can choose to believe in God's faithfulness, as King David did. David was confident that he would see the goodness of the Lord even in the midst of his problems. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”(Psalm 27:13).
When I couldn’t find a human solution for my own pain, I gave up and turned all my attention to the Lord. It was time to walk through the desert and see what God wanted me to learn. I took to His Word every single day—studying, learning, praying. He was no longer my pre-show or the intermission, he became the main attraction in my life. Plain and simple, I took the time to know him. Was I still in pain? Yes, I was. But something wonderful took place after several years of seeking him. I developed a deeper relationship with my Creator. My faith grew. Without my pain, I’m not sure I would have found this more wholly wonderful faith that yields love and trust instead of fear.
Dr. Tony Evans summarizes our journey through life perfectly: “Between Eden and heaven, we have nothing but problems because this world is under the curse of sin. The first tree that Adam ate from messed us up. The second tree that Jesus Christ died on fixed us up. And in heaven there will be a third tree, the tree of life (Revelation 22:2) that will keep us fixed up.” So, I choose to "live chosen" every day and trust in God's goodness even in the midst of my struggles. You can too.
Sherry Torgent is an award-winning young adult and middle grade author whose works have been recognized by Benjamin Franklin IBPA awards, Foreward Indies, and Next Generation Indie. Her books are creative and fast-paced with supernatural elements that keep readers turning the pages. (Clean Teen Fiction appropriate for Middle Grade.)
When she's not writing, she's looking for her next great thrift find or working in her greenhouse. She lives in Raleigh, NC with her husband and their rescue dog, Mr. Bates.
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