Three Ways to Overcome, Through God's Protective Presence

Three Ways to Overcome, Through God’s Protective Presence

 Friend, have you ever felt alone? Overwhelmed? Or consumed by a trial? I have. When my husband and I went through a church split some years ago, the pain was so crushing it felt as if the weight on my chest was snapping each bone into a million sharp fragments, with no anesthesia to numb the pain.

Any sudden loss leaves us feeling lonely and disillusioned, gasping for breath.

 Yet, the truth is that despite what we were feeling at the time, we were not alone, overwhelmed, or consumed. Feeling a certain way does not make it accurate. Let’s look at Isaiah 43:2 for reassurance.

 “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
    and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
    and the flame shall not consume you.” ~Isaiah 43:2(NIV)

 Notice it says “when,” not “if” we pass through the deep waters and burning flames of affliction. Yes, the treacherous waters and smoldering blaze are actual and agonizing, as God never promises us a detour AROUND them, but only through them.

 But friend, when we are feeling overburdened, let’s call to mind Isaiah 43:2 and discover three ways to overcome through God’s protective presence.

 1) We will not be left alone.

He promises us His presence in the rushing river. Like a mother grasping tight her child’s hand to cross the street, we are in His firm grip as He walks us through the rough waters.

 When we can’t see His hand, we can trust His heart!

2) We will not be overwhelmed.

When like the disciples, we feel the storm will overtake us, just as they did, we hear the shout from our Master’s lips, “Peace! Be still! And our soul finds repose amid the crashing waves and roaring wind.

 When we can’t hear His voice, we can trust his Word!

 3) We will not be consumed.

The pain of the refining fire may be searing as it scorches the body, but it is merely removing the impurities to reveal the precious gold, and cannot destroy the soul that he has redeemed!

And When we can’t feel His grip, we can trust His presence!

 Lastly, may we find comfort in the words of the old hymn, How Firm a Foundation:

 “When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume, and thy gold to refine.”

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 Friend, we are never alone, overwhelmed, or consumed in the fiery trial; instead, we are redeemed, restored, and refined by His all-loving presence!

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