Trusting God Through the Pain of Your PastНамуна

Day Four

Invisible Garden

Scripture: Psalm 27; Isaiah 58:11; John 15:5

When my husband and I were newlyweds, I longed for a garden. But we also anticipated moving into a new home. We constructed a mobile garden on casters so that when we moved, it could move with us. We built the frame, filled it with soil, and planted the seeds. I diligently watered, waited, and watched for new growth. After several days, I impatiently wondered where my garden was because all I could see was dirt. In retrospect, there was plenty happening there, but it was all underground.

We rarely recognize the value of pain when we are going through it. But in the waiting, in the praying, in the trusting, God is working. Like with my invisible garden, the change is there, but it’s often underground. It takes time for healing to occur, and we can either begrudge the pain or embrace the process. We can either grow bitter and resentful or look to God with expectancy for who he is and what he is doing. God is working his will and his way to help us become a brighter reflection of him. His promises give us countless reasons to hope.

When facing pain and adversity, it helps to speak God’s promises instead of reciting the problem. Throughout my husband’s and my health-related battles, for instance, I clung to Psalm 27:13: “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”

I know you’re tired. I know you are low on strength and perhaps lower on morale, but don’t give up. Don’t allow this trial to push you past your hope or cause you to stop pursuing your dreams. Lean into it. Push with the pain, like a woman in labor. Use it to birth your future.

God is a good God, his plans for us are good, and he longs to be our Provider. But growth is a process, one that we can’t rush, especially when we want God’s outcome.

Lord, I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Help me to be strong and take heart as I wait for you. Thank you for all you are doing underground, even if I can’t see new life right now. In Jesus’s name, amen.