Psalm 23:4–6 ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.’(v5)
One critical problem with suffering is when we become the centre of our own universe. Unsurprising, since our pain, physical and psychological, blinds us to anything other than our immediate situation. We base judgments on experience, assuming no one can possibly understand our reality.
Self-absorbed, we strike out at those who honestly want to empathise and offer support, despite its inadequacy to relieve pain’s reality, for when fighting an enduring disappointment everyone can appear as our enemy. In such circumstances, our tried and tested navigation system collapses under the strain and we are left to sail on uncharted waters by the stars alone.
Yet remember the three who followed an unknown star and were led to Jesus’ crib. Our journey may prove uncomfortable, yet its destination is assured (Matt. 2:9–12). The greatest challenge when consumed in personal crisis is holding onto God whilst discovering more of the person God created and therefore our purpose and place on earth.
No longer subject to the abstractions of life beyond our own intentional friendship with God, we stand before a mirror and look upon the person we are, whilst God gives us an insight into who He intends us to become.
For those who willingly, whilst sacrificially, embrace this season, it is the start of our road back to God’s fullness, where we find a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair (Isa. 61:3).
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER:
Ps. 24:3–6; Isa. 61:1–7; 1 Thess. 4:13–18; Rev. 22:12–21
AN ACTION TO TAKE:
Are you willing to pause and look beyond where you find yourself and
discover more of who God wants you to become and learn to live in ways
that enable this to be realised on earth?
A PRAYER TO MAKE:
‘Lord, You are my refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore I will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall
into the heart of the sea. Amen.’ (Ps. 46:1–2)
Photo by Caroline Hernandez on Unsplash
