Better Days Are On the Way
It’s no secret that this current season of my life has been quite challenging. I’ve been pretty open about the heartache and setbacks my family and I have experienced during this last quarter of the year. Though I have learned to embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:18, which admonishes me to give thanks in everything for it’s the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning me, I must be honest and say that I have certainly seen better days.
I’m not naïve to believe that life in Christ excludes me from the pool of suffering, but I don’t know if I’ve grown to the place where I’m truly counting it all joy when I’m chosen to suffer for Christ’s sake.
Let’s be real.
No one in their right mind has suffering highlighted on their bucket list. Nevertheless, I do find much comfort in 1 Peter 5:10 which says, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.”
A few days ago as I sat reflecting on my life this past year, my heart became a bit discouraged when I focused in on the happenings of this latter part of 2012. I found myself worrying about whether my family would fully recover from all that the Lord is taking us through, and just as my eyes began to water, I heard the voice of the Lord so clearly and sweetly say to me, “Don’t worry, daughter. What’s coming is much better than what’s been.”
Those words from my Father pierced my heart so deeply, and His presence engulfed my entire being. Instantly my heart transitioned from discouraged to totally comforted, and those tears of sadness became tears of worship.
I don’t know how this year will end or how 2013 will begin, but right now I’m rejoicing because I do know that what’s coming – whatever it is, and whenever it comes - is better than what’s been. I have no reason to be anything but excited and hopeful about what the future holds when I’m cognizant that the One who holds it has good plans for me.
One thing I am thankful that I’ve learned is that unfavorable situations do not indicate that the Lord’s favor does not rest upon my life, and bad times do not negate the goodness of the Lord towards me.
The very same applies to you.
I’m sure you’ve faced your fair share of suffering, and sometimes it can seem like it’s as good as it gets and things will never get better. You probably even feel as if the Lord has left you out to hang dry. But this is not so at all. The Savior of the world came that you might have and enjoy life, and do so in abundance. (John 10:10 AMP)
So before you get stuck on what you see and feel right now, and lose hope, hear the very words the Lord spoke to me and embed them upon your heart – “Don’t worry, daughter. What’s coming is much better than what’s been.”
It’s been hard, but greater is coming.
The tears are falling, but greater is coming.
The loss broke your heart, but greater is coming.
The divorce ripped you apart, but greater is coming.
The depression is getting deeper, but greater is coming.
There are more bills than money, but greater is coming.
I don’t care what it looks like at this very moment, greater is on the way.
God is not a man that He should lie; so if He said it, my faith is crazy enough to fully believe Him.
God still favors you and He yet has an amazing plan for your life. If you take nothing else throughout the remainder of 2012 and over into the New Year, take God’s promise that your latter will far exceed your right now.
Stay in faith. Stay in prayer. Stay in hope. Stay in worship. Stay in surrender to God. What’s been is nothing compared to what’s coming.
7 Comments
Reader Comments (7)
Needed this word. 2012 has been one of the hardest years of my life. Anything that could go wrong did but I am still having faith for better days! Very encouraging word Ms. Collins.
In January of 1978 my grandmother went home to be with the Lord. She wrote some things down in her journal before passing away. One of the things she said is the promises of God are yea and amen. If God says it He will do it no matter how long it takes. I hold to the promises of God and the words of my grandmother even in the hard times. I know God is still faithful and will do just what he says.
I'm praying for you and your family. Your openness continues to be a blessing to me. Thank you for sharing this very encouraging word.
Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." this is what I read and hold on to in the rough times. I'll never stop believing God! Hallelujah!
I cried LaKeisha. Yes I did. I'm at work reading this (and I work at the FRONT DESK! I had to get it together quick.) and this job supposedly ends today. It's a temp position (I'm honestly claiming they call me in permanently). I was sitting here for about 20 minutes with frustrated faith for so many reasons asking myself if all that I've contributed to education, people, life etc., in the past was in vain. I started to go down mentally as the spirit of grief and depression made an attempt to attach itself thinking to myself "I'm still not where I believe I should be. I've wasted so much time, what am I doing here etc., ...... but before I lost it completely Iprayed and came to this site and went directly to your article. I know better than to think this way. God has been with me all this time and if he brought me this far, I believe he'll take me all the way. It was only an attempt the enemy made to get me to doubt God and my purpose. I thank you for your MINISTRY and I couldn't finish the article because I was about to breakdown in you guessed it......worship. God is sovereign, isn't he.I'm about to go on my break. Toodles:-)
I was so appreciative (literally) to see this article, i needed a RIGHT NOW word, and you gave it, wish i had so it days ago but, grateful i see it now...... Praising GOD
THANK YOU!!!!!! My sister that word was awesome and totally God inspired. I think I'll keep moving forward into all God has for me and my family. 2013, best year ever!!!!!