Life’s
Greatest Hindrances are its
Greatest Teachers
More and more I find that what I used
to consider my greatest hindrances were, in fact, actually my
greatest teachers. I used to believe that all my troubles were
attributable to lack of finances and consequently, thought all of
them could be solved by a surplus. I considered all the
disadvantages and often almost totally overlooked the great trust
and creativity I was developing and gaining over the years. I used
to overlook what God was placing right before my eyes. Troubled
with how things were going to work out---crippled by fear that they
wouldn't, days were difficult and money seemed so scarce. Little
did I know at the time that I would look back on the more difficult
days and remember them with sort of fond, but perhaps bittersweet,
emotion.
I’m sorry for the young woman who was so fearful, but happy for the
way the LORD did provide and for all they ways she learned to cope,
learned to be creative, learned to be hopeful, learned to trust and
increased in faith. But the younger woman who used to live in my
shoes was often plagued by the "what will people think" albatross,
and was sometimes shackled by doubts and insecurities – as I suppose
we all are from time to time, but when they become interwoven in
every thought, then they're like that heavy, paralyzing albatross.
The LORD worked through all those sorts of situations and blessed me
with a sort of "blindness" to my situation---sort of a "rose
coloured glasses" tenor to my life---and brought me through those
valleys. I began to see things less and less for what they were and
more and more for what I hoped they would be. Sure, the lack of
finances still was a hindrance, but I stopped allowing myself to
feel as though that defined me or my family. I decided to stop
getting tripped up in the trappings of the have's and have not's in
life---they weren't helping me. I decided to not let my possessions
define who I was or who I am---other people may have judged me in
that manner---but I never wanted to be that shallow and I knew the
LORD didn't want that for me either. He was taking me through the
school of contentment. Had I not had lack or lass, I’d not have
learned to be very creative with what I did have and I suppose I
might’ve become smug or assume it was all my doing when there were
great increases and “successes.” I surely know that whatever good
has come, whatever gain I’ve experienced – successes, benefits or
blessings have all been of the LORD.
Learning to trust God for things unseen or things unknown is perhaps
more difficult for some than for others---I know that for myself, it
was a struggle to trust: that what I could not see was already seen
and covered by the LORD. My fretting and my doubting never helped
me or the situation I faced, regardless of whether the situation was
financial, physical or vocational. Looking back, some of the times
of the greatest doubt or greatest fear are now the sweetest memories
to me.
Some of the deepest
valleys produced the richest fruit and it's faith from those lessons
that has guided me through the more recent years and the struggles
or trials we've faced. When trails have been forged or mountains
scaled, the path is a bit less daunting each time it's traversed and
with each passing, faith is strengthened and trust is deepened.
With each passing year, the have's and the have not's are less and
less noticeable to me and my concern is less self-focused. Pride
is an ugly thing I came to see… for it is often pride that keeps us
from living and giving – pride is that gripping thing that prevents
us from being transparent, from being open and vulnerable. We all
have it to some degree or another and sometimes when we very least
anticipate it, pride wells up and swallows us. Gains and losses are
the great equalizers in life---they happen to all of us. Same with
fear and doubt---but some people are just better at hiding fears and
doubts than others. It’s the admission of those fears and doubts
that is the beginning of turning from them and yielding to the LORD.
Because I know my
Redeemer lives and ever lives to make intercession for me---for
us---, I know that I can trust Him beyond a shadow of doubt, that
what He has promised to do, that will He do---He promised to never
leave me nor forsake me and He promises in His Word that He will
complete that which He has begun. What He’s begun in you – He will
complete!
So the LORD has used
trials as teachers, loss as gain, and lack: to fill me. His
faithfulness truly has been great and His mercies have been new
every morning. Now when financial set backs come or when there seem
to lack of funds, I have learned to anticipate the Hand of the LORD
and to watch for what He will do. Twenty-four years in the
swimming-pool business in the chilly Northwest has given our family
ample opportunity to watch the Hand of the LORD both guide and
provide---sometimes in the most surprising and unusual ways. As
with so many other things in life, I'm learning to see this much
more quickly than I did in the early years. He has proven Himself
faithful… and I’m seeing this more and more in the seen, or outward
things of life as well as in the unseen, or the inward things of
life.
One Who Understands
Of all life’s pain and
sufferings nothing can surpass
Agonies of parents whose child’s taken in death’s grasp.
The emptiness, the anger, the denial and disbelief
Seem like your only companions as you struggle in your grief.
The awkward silence of others shows no words can convey
The depth of their sharing in the pain that’s come your way.
For platitudes and sympathy can do little to relieve
The pain of separation of the parent left to grieve.
Until you lose a child, no one can fully comprehend
The brokenness and sorrow that makes your heart rend.
But through shared prayer and God’s grace one can see a ray of light
In this time of deep loneliness of the soul’s darkest night,
For there’s One who’s borne this pain whilst even knowing why
His only Son had to suffer and then to slowly die..
For as His own Son once resurrected, returned at last to Him,
So too your own dear child will return to you again.
For by sharing the pain you’re suffering, God can take you by the
hand
In the tender love and compassion of One Who understands.
© Glenys Robyn Hicks
2004
‘Blessed be the God
and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God
of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may
be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort
with which we ourselves are comforted by God.’
2 Corinthians 3.5
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4.8
always in His hands,
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