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.