My husband, Mike, and I were invited to Nepal to speak about marriage in a couple of churches there. Emails flew back and forth, discussing dates, locations, logistics, and goals for the trip. Flights were booked, suitcases packed, and speaker notes assembled.
I also made it a point of keeping myself healthy in the weeks leading up to our departure. I was excited, anticipating that every detail had been covered, knowing that I had done everything I could to prepare for this trip of a lifetime!
What I didn’t know was that before I got on the plane, I had contracted a virus of some sort, and during the flight, my knees and ankles would start to swell to the point that movement was difficult. This condition continued throughout my time in Nepal, and although I checked in at an international clinic, there was nothing that could be done except take maximum doses of ibuprofen while the virus ran its course.
This is not the first time I have had to ponder the truths of this verse, that “all things work together for good.” In my logical mind, it seemed like God would want me to be healthy in order to do his work. It was very humbling for me to go through this, but the amazing thing was that God used me even in my weakened state!
What do you know for certain in your journey of life? You can plan and prepare as much as possible but remember that, no matter what, it is all in God’s hands.
Father, help me to trust you with the difficulties I face today, and to believe that your goodness is at work, even when it does not feel good to me. Amen.
Go Deeper — Is there something you are trying to handle on your own and becoming a bit frustrated about how it is turning out? Say the key verse from Romans 8:28 over and over. Then release your angst, and trust.
Photo Credit: Melanie Brown