Our "Nevertheless" Moments

This Easter weekend I had some sweet times of fellowship with the Lord in thanking Him for His death and resurrection - and all He has provided for me through that.  Here in South Africa, Easter is usually when our weather "turns" toward winter but this year we had beautiful, balmy, sunny days here in Cape Town.  It was a lovely gift!

During the years that Floyd was sick, there were many "why" questions that people had.  It was understandable.  With God's help, I was able to turn the questions into trusting God's goodness and wisdom.  Trust became a daily choice for me, and, as I trusted, the questions didn't weigh on my heart.

But now I find myself in a different situation.  I have 2 dear friends who are suffering greatly.  I pray for "healing or heaven" for them as I prayed for Floyd.  But they linger......and I wonder why God doesn't take them home.  God gave me grace to trust Him for Floyd, but now I'm troubled for my two friends.

I was sharing with a friend about this, and she told me what has helped her.  There are "nevertheless" moments in our lives that we have to give to God.  Jesus asked the Father to "take the cup" from Him.....but "nevertheless your will be done!"  Jesus' prayer wasn't answered.  He had to go to the cross - nevertheless He trusted the Father's will.

In the "nevertheless moments" in our lives when our prayers aren't answered in the way we ask, in the way that seems right or logical - that's when we need to trust, to surrender to God's will.

It's interesting that I was able to trust in Floyd's situation, but now I am grieving over the suffering of my friends.  I'm having to dig deeper into trust!  I guess it's a never ending journey.  Thank goodness that God is completely trustworthy!!!  He never fails us, never turns His back on us, never stops loving us.  He is rock solid!

"O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt."  Matthew 26:39

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:5,6

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord."  Jeremiah 17:7

The lessons I learned on our unexpected journey need to be reaffirmed as I face new situations.  They aren't "done and dusted" as they say.  I have to apply these lessons afresh and as I do, our faithful teacher takes me deeper into them and draws me closer to Himself. 

This week, as well as the “nevertheless” moments of trust, He has taken me deeper in the lesson of trust in another area too…

I had some things happening physically this week that caused many emotions to come roaring into my thoughts  -  nervousness, anxiety, worry, fear.  They're all feelings that we have at one time or another.  They can pop up over little details in our daily life, or they can land heavily in our thoughts over something important we are facing.  At times, they can feel like a 1000 pound weight we are carrying around.

I didn't want these emotions, I tried to get rid of them, but they persisted.  In those moments I know I need to activate trust in my heart - I need to choose it and ask God to help me overcome the concerns with trust.

I thought of David's proclamation - "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."  He knew the fear was there, but he chose trust.  We can't blame ourselves for having very human emotions, but what we do with them is the key.  I confessed to the Lord that I was worried, and gave the "burden" of the worry to Him.  I spoke out my trust, quoted verses of trust, and asked Him to help me.  The weights began to lift from my heart.  I was able to enter into thanking the Lord for fresh hope and perspective.

It doesn't mean the concerns completely disappear, but it helps me know how to handle them every time they invade my heart again.

"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust."  Psalm 103:13,14

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  Deuteronomy 31:8

"My heart is in anguish within me...Fear and trembling have beset me...As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me.  Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and He hears my voice."  Psalm 55:4,5,16,17

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you."  Psalm 33:22

I can't make it through the trials of life on my own.  I need the Lord's grace, strength, wisdom, and comfort.  As I put my trust in Him, He meets my every need.  He is so faithful!