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| "Perseverance" by Mr. Wonderful |
This post tells of my heart's cry to the only One who could rescue me
from both disease of the body and distress of the soul.
Psalm 18:6 (NIV)
"In my distress I called to the Lord;
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears."
I cried to my God for help.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came before him, into his ears."
The mounting years of waiting for healing and answers conflicted daily with my foundation of faith. I identified with David's petitions to God for deliverance, refuge and strength.
"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;
give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress...
let me never be put to shame.
2 In your righteousness, rescue me and deliver me;
turn your ear to me and save me.
3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go;
give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress...
5 ...For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth."
my confidence since my youth."
- Psalm 71:1-5
In 2002, entrenched in bible college and in ministry, I believed the worst was behind me...Then, another relapse caught me off guard. I delayed medical treatment as long as possible to avoid the medication's side effects and suffered greatly for my pride. What I labeled faith became stubborn arrogance as I attempted to force the Almighty to heal me.
Thank God for His precious grace and mercy, even in my greatest hour of childishness!
Thank God for His precious grace and mercy, even in my greatest hour of childishness!
By Divine Appointment, I bought a book called "Praying God's Word" by Beth Moore. [I HIGHLY recommend this as a resource to anyone!]
In her book, Beth translates the scriptures into personal prayers for the reader to apply to various trials and battles of life. Through her teaching and use of Scripture like a weapon, I finally got a foothold on the wall of the pit.
I confronted the reality of my situation with the Truth of His Word and held on for dear life. He responded with a lifeline and lifted me out of the pit and onto a path.
Still, the trial remained...but I began to change.
My Turning Point
On a day like so many before, I sat at home - alone, weak and struggling, studying God's Word for hope and answers. Instead, I found questions in Romans 5.
3" Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not disappoint us,
because God has poured out his love into our hearts
by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."
I understood how suffering produces perseverance and perseverance, character...
But how in the world does character produce hope?
Curiosity got ahold of me.
I had tasted suffering. Against my will I was learning perseverance. The next monument on my journey read "Character" and I had no idea how it would lead to what I felt slipping through my fingers... "Hope."
In that moment of awakening, I realized the whole of my circumstances laid right before me in this one verse...
My Path:
Suffering --Perseverance --Character--Hope
My Destination:
God's love poured out into my heart
My Guide: Holy Spirit
Although the trial raged and I outwardly grew weaker and more frail, my inner man, now free of the bondage of despair, began a quest toward something greater.
I felt alive with anticipation at the mysteries that laid ahead of me.
...More on those 'mysteries' next time!
In the opening of 'The Slimy Pit', I remarked that "the descent into and the battle out of Despair remain constant." Although the thought of fighting for freedom from the depths of sorrow seems overwhelming and discouraging, I want to spark a glimmer of anticipation in you as you read this post.
Yes, the path out of the pit is a battle...
But that battle is the staging ground for miracles, victory, triumph, joy that leaves you speechless and a fresh awakening of your soul to the true essence of hope!!!!
Your key to these glorious, promised spoils of war?...
You cannot win...
You cannot win...
Without the supernatural, unmatched power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead, you cannot overcome the pit.
The pit is designed by your unseen adversary to entrap you beyond your own strength to clamor out of its grasp. Only the One Whom the grave could not bury has the weaponry and strength this battle will require.
“Listen...!
This is what the Lord says to you:
‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army.
For the battle is not yours, but God’s."
- 2 Chronicles 20:15
Undoubtedly, you now wonder "How then, do I fight a battle that I cannot win?"
You cry out to the Lord...Your Champion.
More on the Journey of Perseverance coming Soon!
Have you read all of my Posts so far?
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