All I can do sometimes is sit still before God and just reflect. I’m nothing less than amazed at the radical way Jesus has changed everything about me. I don’t know the old Lori; she doesn’t live here anymore.
I’m feeling that there is someone out there, perhaps many, who need help re-evaluating their life, or even need some answers as to what is happening to them… and why they’re life is in a chaotic mess. Perhaps this disaster or crisis is a direct result or a consequence of something. On the other hand, maybe you can see no reason or explanation for what’s happening – and THIS is the very thing I want to address! Dear friend, I’ve walked many miles in the pair of shoes you’re wearing. Lying in bed last night, all I could think about was what God spoke to Israel through the prophet Hosea…
“But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.” Hosea 2:14
I’ll let my life experience and compassion do the talking. I have always stated boldly that God uses afflictions to heal both the sinner and the saint. I was the sinner (we’re all sinners, just bear with me). God was not a part of my life… AT ALL! In my early adulthood, my life was great. Things were going just like I planned, and I expected nothing less than a Fairy Tale ending. Why did I need God? Life was perfect – or so I thought.
Then it happened. My perfect life began to unravel. I was attacked by an unseen force (Muscular Dystrophy). I wasn’t sure about anything that was happening to me. The only thing I did know was that my physical body was no longer under my control. And being out of control is the absolute worst thing that could happen to a control freak!
To make a long story short, I’m able to step back and see the mercy of God in everything I’ve been through. God took me into the desert. He won me back. He handpicked me out of Satan’s grimy hand. He talked tenderly to me – He has shown me Who He really is. And I gave myself to Him… just like He said in Scripture. So let me ask you to take an inventory of whatever you’re crisis is… do you realize He is taking you to the desert? He said He will talk tenderly to you there. Will you allow yourself to be given to Him? There’s a reason He has taken you to the desert. In time, He will transform your “Valley of Trouble” into a “gateway of hope.”
So, God used affliction to heal this sinner. And as far as using afflictions to heal saints… I need no other proof than hearing testimonies or seeing lives lived out by others who already know God, and accepted His Son’s atoning sacrifice to cover their sins. They already are a Child of the Most High, and yet He still takes them to the desert to teach or heal them in some way.
Simply amazing. We have an amazing God 🙂