With my little baby bundled up in the back seat, we started the drive to the allergy clinic downtown. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Our little one hadn’t been doing so well, and we’d been working with a GI doctor and her pediatrician to figure out what it was her body didn’t like. I was scared and uncomfortable with the process. Uncomfortable with what we might find out. Uncomfortable with what we wouldn’t find out. And frustrated. So, so frustrated that my baby girl was having to go through this.
I was trying to pray, but I wasn’t sure what to pray for. I’d been praying so much for our sweet girl and her troubles. What could I possibly say right now, as we were nearing this critical appointment? About as soon as I had these thoughts I heard this song playing on the radio:
“And I know any second You could take my pain away, but even if you don’t, I pray
Help me want the healer more than the healing.
Help me want the Savior more than the saving.
Help me want the giver more than the giving.
Oh, help me want you Jesus more than anything.”
I burst into tears as I felt God’s arms around me in that moment.
The song went on to talk about the weakness we face on our own and the feeling of overwhelm we can feel from our burdens. It helped me realize that God has already done everything that we need, no matter the circumstance we face.
He sent Jesus.Â
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16Â
Isn’t that all that really matters? Of course, in our humanness we forget. We become consumed by our circumstances and it’s not enough. This is nothing new for our generation.
God’s Presence is Enough
I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in the first few books of the Bible lately. Oh, the Israelites–how easy it is for us to judge them! This group of Hebrew slaves has been known through the ages for their complaints. God delivered them, but again and again their struggles consumed them and they started to question God. Their struggles were very real, by the way. Can you even imagine being in their place? Wandering about for years, facing the harsh realities of the desert, and going through foreign lands? Their complaints and questioning frustrated God. God wanted them to understand that his presence with them was enough. He would sustain their needs. He wanted them to trust him.
Why is this so hard? Why do we act like God is never enough?Â
Trusting God is Enough
Thankfully, our God is a God of grace and mercy. He knows our weakness. In our faith, we can cast our burden on him (Psalm 55). He hears us and cares for us. We must remember, though, that our true battle is already won. Our hope is not in answered prayers, but in God. So through our struggles, may we want to be drawn closer and closer to the Lord. May we remember the love he has bestowed on us and find peace.
That day, I met my fears head on as I faced the situation I’d been dreading: peanut allergy, among other things. Our family entered a new reality that day, one I still don’t like. I pray boldly, asking God to take this burden away from us, to protect and heal our daughter. While I pray, though, I understand that even more than this, I want God to stay close with us. I want to remember what He’s already done for me. I want to praise Him still, knowing that come what may, He is God, the blood of Christ saved me, and victory is mine.Â
Remember God is With You
Whatever struggles you are facing, I encourage you to take hold of the big picture. Draw near to him and he will draw near to you. (James 4:8) I will end this post with Natalie Grant’s song “More Than Anything.” I hope this beautiful song comforts you and reminds you of God’s presence and redeeming love.
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- Look to Him - February 17, 2020
- Thoughts From the Mom Who Needs Grace - December 16, 2019
I have had a similar experience with our littlest guy! We spent 3 years of his life trying to figure out all the things that his body was reacting to. Doctors and doctors… all they did was bandaid the problem. I was operating in my humanness, without trusting the Lord! I finally had had enough, I gave it to Him. In only what can be seen as a supernatural intervention, we were able to get connected with the perfect doctor. <3 Our God is so good! Even though by little guy's skin was awful from the moment of birth, God… Read more »
How wonderful you were able to get connected with the right doctor- sometimes that feels impossible! Of course, nothing is impossible with our God though. 🙂
Wow! Kristin…this is so powerful.
What hit my heart most was that this:
“Our hope is not in answered prayers, but in God.” Amen!!! Let us never give up praying but keep our hope in the Hope giver. He may answer our prayers in a different way than we intend, but He is so good and will provide for us in the process.
This is easier to write in a post than it is to remember at the times I need it most, but maybe if I write it enough it’ll really resinate!
Wow! So good. God is our Hope, and it’s such a beautiful thing to feel when we are hurting, confused or tired. Thank you for sharing. We serve a God who is able.
Absolutely! God is able!
Thank you for this reminder! I have a procedure and test this Friday and it’s been on my mind. God is with me and will carry me through anything that happens!
Father God, I ask that you carry Julie and give her peace as she has her procedure and test on Friday. We ask only for the good outcomes, but no matter what may she feel you near. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen!
I really believe that the moment a person really begins to grow spiritually is when they tell God they want Him more than anything else. It has been true for me.
I agree. It’s a statement that involves SO much of our life. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
The closer my relationship is with God the more this is a reality. The times I allow life to get in the way seems to be the times I become more needy of other things. Thank you for the reminder and the beautiful song!
Oh, this is so true! Drawing close to him when our hearts are unsettled and discontented can be a life changing experience if we truly open our hearts to him.
I am often reminded that I am in the best place when I absolutely need God. Sometimes the hard things in life that we don’t want are the best things for us. Thank you for sharing.
It is hard to see that as we are going through the mud, but you are right. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve been learning that God’s presence is the antidote to any problem that we have. We are strengthened and can endure any trial with the tangible presence of God!
Let the people sing, “Amen, Amen!” Praise Him for his powerful presence in our lives!
I am so thankful that God sent Jesus. And that really is enough. God is teaching me that in a whole new way lately, but I am thankful for it.
It’s a lesson that usually involves some difficulty. How wonderful when we can take our hardships and turn them around for his glory though. Thank you for sharing. 🙂